Free Online File Converters May Install Malware On Your PC – FBI Warning!
Instead of just converting files, these tools secretly install harmful software on your computer. The dangerous part is that this software may look like a real app and seem to work as expected. However, it can steal your personal information, track your activities, or even lock your computer and demand money to unlock it.
There are many file formats available for different purposes. The most common ones are Documents (PDF, DOC), Images (JPG, PNG), Video (MP4, AVI), and Audio (MP3, AAC). With almost everything happening (converting) online, you never know which format you require at a given point in time. And this is where free online file converters come into play. For example, if someone asks you to submit your ID in a PDF format, what would you do? The answer is – Click the photo of the ID using the mobile camera, convert the image (JPG format to PDF) using any online converter, and send the PDF to the person.
Most people do not realize the mess they have gotten into with the above steps. Let me explain-
- You have uploaded your ID to an unknown server where it can be misused, causing Identity Theft. You also do not know when the ID image will be deleted from the online converter’s server.
- The converted PDF file you have downloaded may consist of a hidden malware that may provide a backdoor access to your PC.
- The downloaded file may also contain elements that may lead to a Ransomware attack.
The FBI Denver Field Office has recently issued a warning on its official website asking people to stay alert of the free online file converter scams. Some of you might think that these free online converters are harmless and are doing a free community service. But that is not true! In this article, we have explained what the dangers of online converters are, how they work and what alternatives are available.
How Do Online File Converters Work?
Free online converters help users convert one file format to another. The process is simple and requires the user to upload a file to the server of the online web tool. The next step is to choose the format to convert and then download the converted file. The process is simple, but here is where the complexity begins. Most free online converter websites embed malware into the converted file. This malware, once downloaded on your PC or mobile device, begins its work of scraping data and sending it to a malicious or threat actor.
| Bonus Tip – Use The Virus Total Website To Identify Malicious Websites.
Navigate to the Virus Total Website. Choose the URL tab and paste the link of a website you wish to use. Press the Enter button and examine the report. For example, we checked a famous converter site – http://convertix-api.xyz/ on Virus Total. We found the website to be reported as malicious.
Other converter websites discovered by our research team include – Freejpgtopdfconverter.com Convertallfiles.com convertisseurs-pdf.com |
What Type Of Data Does The Malware Look For?
Hidden malware may not necessarily affect your system’s performance, but it will start accessing your data and transferring it to the hacker or mastermind behind this. Here is a list of data that is at risk –
- Email addresses.
- PII or Personal Identifying Information, which includes your Social Security Number, date of birth, and mobile number.
- Credentials of banking and crypto wallets.
- Other Usernames and Passwords, including cookies, session tokens, etc, that can help hackers bypass the Multi-Factor Authentication.
New Methods Of Malware Infiltration By Hackers.
The FBI Denver has also warned about the different methods of hacking attempted by cyber criminals. Here are a few examples.
- Online Converter websites may tempt the user to download free software from their website for batch conversions. This software may contain malware.
- Certain online converter websites recommend that users install a browser extension to make things easier. Many extensions have been found to act as browser hijackers or adware.
- The converted file requested by the user is injected with malware that steals information from all the PCs it has been downloaded to or sent to. Even worse, the file may infect your PC with Ransomware.
| Editor’s Tip – Why Are Offline Converters Better Than Online Converters?
Offline File Converters apps get installed on your PC and can work even if the PC is not connected to the internet. These apps can source any file on your hard drive, external disk, or network drive, complete the conversion process, and save the file on your PC. There is no risk of the file being uploaded anywhere or shared with anyone. Finally, as there is no internet connection required and the conversion process is done on your PC, any risk of malware being downloaded on your PC is nullified. |
Alternatives To Risky Online Converters – Use Offline Converters.
The best possible solution to Online File Converters is to use Offline File Converters or apps that can convert files for you on your PC. This way you do not have to upload your confidential files to a random server or download any file from anywhere. We recommend that you use trusted apps or software from well-known developers after reading the reviews and doing a bit of research.
If you ask us then we have done a bit of research with regards to document converters. Most people are looking to convert documents and images to PDF and vice versa. You can do this easily using three alternatives.
1. Use Systweak PDF Editor – Systweak PDF Editor is a new and budget-friendly software that provides all sorts of document conversions. The document conversion functionality in Systweak PDF Editor is both powerful and user-friendly. It supports converting PDF files into popular formats such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and high-resolution images, as well as more specialized formats like HTML, EPUB, SVG, XPS, and text files.
It goes one step further and allows users to extract tables from a PDF to an Excel sheet or just extract images from a PDF to a folder. On the other hand, this app provides over 30 modules for editing a PDF, including digital signature, Password protection, and OCR. The best part is that this app has a user-friendly UI and is cost-effective compared to others.
- Edit, Annotate, Print, Protect PDF, And More.
- Add Images, Notes, Callouts, Bookmarks, Page Numbers, Digital Signature, Etc.
- Split, Merge, Add, And Delete Pages, Rotate, And Arrange Pages In A PDF
- Compress, Convert PDF Into Any Format, And Vice Versa.
- Fix corrupted or damaged PDF files
- Perform OCR and Create Forms on PDF.
2. Use Microsoft Word – If you have an Office subscription, then you probably will get MS Word along with it. You can use this app to open PDF files and convert documents into PDFs. There are many ways of using this app and you can even convert multiple images to PDF by pasting the images on a DOC and exporting it as a PDF.
Note : If you do not have an Office subscription, then we recommend you purchase a professional PDF software that facilitates conversion of documents both ways.
3. Use Adobe Acrobat – Adobe is the organisation that created the PDFs in the first place. The software is designed to convert PDFs into multiple formats and vice versa. It also gives the ability to edit, annotate, merge, delete pages, etc, from a PDF. However, this app is pretty expensive and can cost approximately $240 for a year’s subscription.
Other Precautions To be Considered
Malware is a dangerous thing that can not only disrupt your work but also your life as well. You must stop using free software and online converters. Also, ensure that your PC is protected by a powerful antivirus software that monitors your PC on a real-time basis. You can choose any one among Norton Antivirus, McAfee, or Systweak Antivirus.
What To Do If You Feel Your PC Has Been Compromised?
If you have become the victim or feel that your data might have been compromised, then follow this checklist below.
- Take a deep breath and analyse the situation, making a list of what data could be compromised.
- Initiate an antivirus scan on your PC to remove any malware. Remember to check if the antivirus app is fully updated.
- Contact your financial institutions’ toll-free number and ask them to help you out with this.
- Format your PC if you can or seek help from a computer specialist.
- Reset any passwords, PINs, and other credentials after you have formatted the PC.
- Make sure to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
