Fake file converters are stealing info, pushing ransomware, FBI warns

Date:
Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:03:00 +0000

Description:
FBI warns some web-based file management services are not as well-intentioned as they seem.

FULL STORY

Free online file converters, joiners, and similar productivity tools are actually covers for data scraping and malware/ransomware distribution campaigns, the FBI is warning.

The Bureau's warning says its Denver Field Office agents are increasingly seeing a scam involving free online document converter tools.

In the warning, the law enforcement agency also urged victims to come forward and report instances of this scam.

Reporting the scam

To conduct this scheme, cyber criminals across the globe are using any type
of free document converter or downloader tool. This might be a website
claiming to convert one type of file to another, such as a .doc file to a
.pdf file. It might also claim to combine files, such as joining multiple
.jpg files into one .pdf file. The suspect program might claim to be an MP3
or MP4 downloading tool.

The worst part is that the tools work as intended, and the victims will still get the files they were looking for.

However, they will also get a piece of malware downloaded to their computer,
or the files they uploaded for conversion/joining will be scrapped for information.

The FBI says the tools can scrape the submitted files for personal
identifying information, such as social security numbers, dates of birth, and phone numbers, banking information, cryptocurrency information (seed phrases, wallet addresses, etc.), email addresses, and passwords.

The best way to thwart these fraudsters is to educate people so they dont
fall victim to these fraudsters in the first place, said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek.

If you or someone you know has been affected by this scheme, we encourage you to make a report and take actions to protect your assets. Every day, we are working to hold these scammers accountable and provide victims with the resources they need.

The FBI urges victims to report these scams to the FBI Internet Crime
Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/fake-file-converters-are-stealing-info- pushing-ransomware-fbi-warns

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Description:
FBI warns some web-based file management services are not as well-intentioned as they seem.

I used to use those services for important papers, especially for PDFs, DOCs, and ODTs.

The last time I needed to convert something I found a nifty command-line program called "Pdftk" (PDF took kit) for Debian/Ubuntu.

It slices, dices, and makes julienne fries on your PC without having to share your documents with some sleazeball from Nigeria.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Windows/64)
* Origin: JoesBBS.Com, Telnet:23 SSH:22 HTTP:80 (1:342/200)

I used to use those services for important papers, especially for PDFs, DOCs, and ODTs.

The last time I needed to convert something I found a nifty command-line program called "Pdftk" (PDF took kit) for Debian/Ubuntu.

It slices, dices, and makes julienne fries on your PC without having to share your documents with some sleazeball from Nigeria.

Yes, linux has some decent converters. Windows probably does also. I
think that Libre Office will even handle some of those conversions.

Still I guess for some those online converters are their only option.


* SLMR 2.1a * Her voice rings in his ears like the music of the spheres
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The last time I needed to convert something I found a nifty command-line

>> program called "Pdftk" (PDF took kit) for Debian/Ubuntu.

It slices, dices, and makes julienne fries on your PC without having to sha

>> your documents with some sleazeball from Nigeria.

Yes, linux has some decent converters. Windows probably does also. I

>think that Libre Office will even handle some of those conversions.

Still I guess for some those online converters are their only option.

I do a fair bit of that at times (Windows) and have never had a problem
with the online services I use, but there are not many you can get
and install on your own computer, and the couple I saw were Trial
versions, meaning who knows what? Limited time or functions?

That said, I probably don't have to convert most of them if I didn't
prefer to save everything as ePub. I have readers on my Android Phone,
and Tablet, eReader and Windows Laptop that can handle most formats -
Mobi, ePub, PDF and a few others.

Looking online it looks like PDFTK does have a Windows version
available through Softonic though.

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* SLMR Rob * ... I'm not old, I'm a recycled teenager
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