The FBI Denver Field Office recently issued a warning about a growing scam involving free online document converters. Cybercriminals use these tools to embed malware in seemingly legitimate downloads, leading to serious security threats such as ransomware infections and data theft. Once downloaded, these malicious files can execute harmful programs, stealing sensitive information or encrypting files for ransom.
How PC Matic Blocks Malware Before It Can Harm Your System
Here’s how PC Matic’s multi-layered protection works when a user downloads a file from an online converter site:
- Initial Blocking: When the downloaded file attempts to run, PC Matic’s real-time agent blocks it, since it is not on our global allowlist.
- Malware Analysis: The unknown file is automatically uploaded to our malware team for review.
- Threat Identification: If the file is determined to be malicious, it is categorized as bad.
- Permanent Protection: If the same file attempts to execute again, it will be immediately blocked and quarantined by PC Matic.
- Proactive Scanning: If the malicious file does not execute immediately, PC Matic’s scanning tool will identify and remediate it before it can be triggered at a later time.
Stay Safe From Online Converter Scams
To protect yourself from these threats, always exercise caution when using free file conversion tools. Consider these security best practices:
- Be mindful of the sources you download files from.
- Keep security software up to date and enable real-time protection.
- Regularly scan your system for vulnerabilities and potential threats.
- Use PC Matic’s allowlist technology to prevent unauthorized application execution.
By leveraging PC Matic’s proactive security approach, users can avoid falling victim to file converter scams and other malware threats. Our allowlist technology ensures that only verified applications run on your system, providing continuous protection against emerging cyber threats.
For more information on PC Matic’s cybersecurity solutions, visit https://www.pcmatic.com/.
