Worldwide recognized for its investigations into federal crimes in the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also plays an important role in preventing online threats. The American agency is sounding the alarm about a growing online threat: websites offering to convert files from common formats like ".pdf", ".doc", or ".jpg" for free. If you've never done it yourself, you probably know someone who has already searched "Convert PDF to Word for free" or "Convert PDF to JPEG for free".
The FBI office in Denver, in a message released since March, warns of the proliferation of scams involving free online file conversion sites. Many platforms, imitating legitimate services, are actually traps designed by cybercriminals to infiltrate users' computers or steal their personal data.
Practical, but potentially devastating tools
Appreciated for their simplicity and their free nature, these online converters allow you to transform a Word document into a PDF, a JPG image into a PNG, or other file manipulations in just a few clicks. They will accomplish this task successfully in most cases, but the resulting file may contain hidden malware that gives criminals access to the victim's computer. These "fake" Conversion sites can also take advantage of the operation to extract the following from the files:
- Personal data (Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, etc.)
- Banking information
- Passwords
- Email addresses
- Cryptocurrency information (seed phrases, wallet addresses, etc.)
Unfortunately, many victims don't realize until it's too late that they've been infected with malware or that their identity has been stolen. And while the alert comes from the FBI, the threat is not limited to the United States, and the perpetrators of these scams operate from all over the world. Security specialists, researchers at MalwareBytes, have drawn up a list of conversion sites involved in this type of scam:
- Imageconvertors[.]com
- convertitoremp3[.]it
- convertisseurs-pdf[.]com
- convertscloud[.]com
- convertix-api[.]xyz
- convertallfiles[.]com
- freejpgtopdfconverter[.]com
- primeconvertapp[.]com
- 9convert[.]com
- Convertpro[.]org
What can you do to protect yourself?
Part of the answer is already on your computer and involves using the conversion functions integrated into recognized software. In many cases, you can convert a file with solutions like Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, free office suites, or tools offered by trusted platforms. As always, you must be vigilant if you decide to use an online service and take the time to carefully examine the site. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
As the FBI explains, you must also "keep your defenses up" "Update" by making sure your operating system and antivirus software are constantly updated. Finally, scan "any file you receive before opening it to help prevent malware from being installed on your computer." Basic advice, but as FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek explains: "The best way to thwart these fraudsters is to educate people so they don't fall victim to these fraudsters."
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