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FBI warnings are true—fake file converters do push malware

The FBI Denver Field Office issued a warning about a scam involving cybercriminals using free online document converter tools to spread malware, which can lead to serious incidents like ransomware attacks.
Many individuals are drawn to these seemingly free and quick online tools, often overlooking the potential risks to their privacy and device security.
These malicious tools often perform the advertised conversion task, but the resulting file may contain hidden malware that grants attackers access to the victim's computer and sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, cryptocurrency seeds, and banking information.
According to the FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek, educating people is the best way to thwart these fraudsters, urging victims to report scams and take actions to protect their assets.
The FBI Denver Field Office encourages anyone affected by this scam to report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, and it is essential to critically analyze files from converter sites, especially if they are executable or JavaScript files, to avoid becoming a victim of ransomware or identity theft.

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