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FBI warns about document conversion sites spreading malware

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FBI warns about document conversion sites spreading malware

Online document conversion sites have been a lifesaver, whether you need to turn a PDF into an editable document, convert a PPT into a PDF or open a lesser-known file format. 

Most of these sites are free and deliver quick results, but many also pose serious privacy risks. When you upload your documents, you’re essentially handing them over to a service with no obligation to protect them. 

Now, the FBI is warning that some free online document converters go a step further by loading malware onto your computer. These malicious sites complete the conversion but also silently install malware on your device.

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A person working on a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What you need to know

The FBI Denver Field Office is warning about a scam involving free online document converter tools that cybercriminals are using to spread malware. These malicious tools can lead to serious incidents, including ransomware attacks.

Hackers worldwide are exploiting any type of free document converter or downloader tool to carry out this scheme. The scam may involve websites that promise to convert files, such as turning a .doc into a .pdf, or tools that claim to merge multiple images into a single document. Some even pose as MP3 or MP4 downloaders. While these tools perform the advertised task, the resulting file may contain hidden malware, giving attackers access to the victim’s computer.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

These tools can also extract sensitive information from submitted files, including personal details like Social Security numbers, dates of birth and phone numbers. They may also harvest banking details, cryptocurrency data such as seed phrases and wallet addresses, as well as email addresses and passwords.

“Unfortunately, many victims don’t realize they have been infected by malware until it’s too late, and their computer is infected with ransomware or their identity has been stolen,” the feds note.

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A man scrolling on his iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE

FBI suggests steps to protect yourself

The FBI advises you to pause, slow down and think carefully before taking any actions online. To reduce the risk of malware infections, keep your antivirus software updated and scan any downloaded files before opening them, the security service noted. 

A strong antivirus software safeguards you from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

The FBI Denver Field Office also urges anyone who has fallen victim to or encountered this scam to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

“The best way to thwart these fraudsters is to educate people so they don’t 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.”

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An open laptop on a desk (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

ENERGY-SAVING SCAM USES ELON MUSK’S NAME – HERE’S THE TRUTH 

Additional ways to stay safe from malicious document conversion tools

1. Use official conversion tools: Instead of relying on random online tools, download and use reputable document conversion software provided by reputable companies like Adobe Acrobat, LibreOffice or Microsoft Office. These programs let you convert files securely without exposing your data to potential threats.

2. Check the website’s reputation: Before using an online converter, research the site. Look for reviews and see if cybersecurity forums or sources have flagged it as unsafe. If the site lacks basic security measures, avoid it.

3. Avoid downloading executable files: If an online document converter provides an .exe, .bat or .scr file instead of a standard document format, do not download or run it. Legitimate converters should only generate files like .pdf, .docx or .png, not executables that could contain malware.

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4. Scan files after conversion: Even if you use a trusted converter, always scan the converted file with up-to-date strong antivirus software before opening it.

5. Check file permissions: After conversion, verify that the new file doesn’t have unexpected permissions or properties that could indicate malware.

6. Create backups and enable ransomware protection: Regularly back up important documents on an external drive or a secure cloud service. Some security suites, like Microsoft Defender, offer ransomware protection features that prevent unauthorized changes to your files.

7. Be cautious of browser extensions: Avoid installing browser extensions for file conversion, as these can often be browser hijackers or adware.

8. Consider paid services: If you frequently need to convert files, invest in a reputable paid service that offers better security and privacy protection.

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9. Use cloud-based solutions: Consider using cloud-based productivity suites that offer built-in conversion tools, reducing the need for third-party converters.

FBI’S NEW WARNING ABOUT AI-DRIVEN SCAMS THAT ARE AFTER YOUR CASH

Kurt’s key takeaway

The convenience of free online tools often blinds us to the risks they carry. Many users assume that if a website looks professional or ranks high on Google, it must be safe. Cybercriminals understand this mindset and take full advantage of it.

The real issue is not just malware-laced converters but the habit of trading security for convenience without a second thought. The internet is filled with services that appear free but come at the hidden cost of stolen data, financial fraud or compromised devices. Instead of trusting every tool that offers an easy solution, it is important to think critically about what we are giving away whenever we upload a file or click a download button.

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Do you verify the reputation of websites before uploading sensitive files? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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The 50 best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals under $100

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The 50 best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals under 0

We’re well aware of the current financial climate here at The Verge, so we’re highlighting some of our favorite budget-friendly picks alongside the best deals overall. These are gadgets and gizmos that are cheap-ish in price but not in quality. In fact, many of the items featured below, all of which can be had for $100 or less, are some of the best available.

What’s more, many of them don’t require you to sign up for Amazon Prime, meaning everybody can join in on the savings.

Headphone and earbud deals

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Is your iPhone really hacked? Or is it those fake security alerts?

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Is your iPhone really hacked? Or is it those fake security alerts?

We want to warn you about a scam you might encounter on your iPhone. While browsing, you might suddenly see a warning message claiming that your device has a virus. These pop-ups are scams meant to deceive you into thinking your iPhone has been compromised. Fake Apple virus warnings, security alerts and messages are all tactics used to prompt you to call a number or click on a malicious link. Bonnie from El Paso, Texas, reached out to share that she experienced the same issue.

“I’ve received two pop-ups on my iPhone 8 Plus in the past couple of days. Says my IPhone has been hacked, gives option to hit OK. I just shut my phone down. How can I avoid this? I’m guessing it’s another of the MANY scams???”

To protect yourself from these scams and ensure your iPhone remains secure, it’s essential to understand how these fake alerts work and what steps you can take to prevent them.

STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS — SIGN UP FOR KURT’S THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW

A woman looking at a pop-up on her iPhone    (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Breaking down the security alert scam

The scam typically appears as a pop-up message saying something like, “Apple Security Warning on iPhone, Virus Detected.” Though it may look convincing, this is a scam. In reality, there is no such thing as a legitimate Apple security alert on an iPhone or iPad.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

It’s also important to note that these fraudulent pop-ups aren’t exclusive to your iPhone. They can appear while you’re browsing the web as well. For example, you might come across a McAfee antivirus pop-up on your computer, falsely claiming that your device is infected and that your McAfee subscription has expired.

iphone hack 2

Fake virus warning pop-up  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC, PC, IPHONES AND ANDROIDS — CYBERGUY PICKS

How to get rid of fake virus warnings

Some scam alerts may display a deceptive X or Close option that appears to be a close button but actually redirects you to a phishing site. To safely remove these fake warnings, follow these steps instead:

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  • Do NOT click on the pop-up. Instead, tap the tab icon in the lower right of the screen.
  • Tap the X button on the tab or swipe up to close out of it.
  • Open the Settings app.
  • Toggle on Airplane Mode. This temporarily severs your phone’s internet connection, allowing you to reset Safari while preventing unauthorized access to your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and tap Safari.
  • Tap Clear History and Website Data.
  • While in Safari settings, toggle on Fraudulent Website Warning and Block Pop-ups.
  • Tap on Settings in the upper-left corner.
  • Toggle Airplane Mode back off.

You can now reopen Safari. If you didn’t interact with the fake virus warning, your iPhone should be fine, and the scams should no longer appear.

iphone hack 3

Illustration of locking up your data  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MY IPHONE SAYS I HAVE 14 VIRUSES. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

How to stay protected

Here are some steps you can take to avoid these scams and protect your device.

1. Don’t interact with the pop-up: If you see a pop-up like this, do not click “OK” or any other buttons. Instead, close the tab or the app where the pop-up appeared.

2. Enable pop-up blockers: Go to Settings > Apps > Safari and make sure Block Pop-ups is turned on. This will help prevent these types of pop-ups from appearing in the future.

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3. Update your iPhone’s software: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Updates often include security patches that protect against new threats. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.

4. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and install strong antivirus software: Be cautious about clicking on links in emails, text messages or websites that seem suspicious or come from unknown sources. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

5. Enable fraudulent website warning: In Settings > Safari, make sure Fraudulent Website Warning is turned on. This feature helps protect you from visiting known malicious websites.

6. Use a personal data removal service: Consider using a personal data removal service to reduce your exposure to scams and phishing attempts. These services help delete your information from data aggregator sites, making it harder for scammers to target you. By removing your personal data from the internet, you can significantly reduce the risk of being targeted by malicious actors.

While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a personal data removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here. 

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WINDOWS DEFENDER SECURITY CENTER SCAM: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER FROM FAKE POP-UPS 

Kurt’s key takeaways

In the end, protecting your iPhone from fake virus warnings is all about being aware of these scams and taking a few simple precautions. By following the steps we’ve outlined and keeping your device updated, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these tactics. Stay safe, and remember, if something looks suspicious, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

Do you think Apple does enough to protect users from scams and fake virus warnings? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

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We went to 10 anti-Tesla protests — and a couple counter protests, too

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We went to 10 anti-Tesla protests — and a couple counter protests, too

Thousands of anti-Tesla protesters took to the streets Saturday March 29th in opposition to Elon Musk and his efforts with DOGE to eliminate humanitarian aid, close federal agencies, and fire government workers. It was the culmination of nearly two months of steady, almost daily demonstrations aimed at hurting Tesla’s sales — and ultimately Musk himself. Today was billed as a “Global Day of Action” with protests targeting hundreds of Tesla locations in the US, Canada, and Europe.

The Verge wanted to check the temperature and see how these protesters were thinking about this current moment, and whether they felt their boycott was having its desired effect. Tesla sales have slid significantly since the protests started, and its stock has shed a lot of its value. But Musk shows no signs of being deterred, as he ramps up his threats to sic the government on anti-Tesla forces.

London, March 29th, 2025.
Photo: Dominic Preston / The Verge

So we fanned out across the globe, from London to New York to Washington, DC to Los Angeles — and Paramus, NJ and Akron, Ohio too — to observe the movement as it enters it third month and talk to the people who opted to spend a good chunk of a Saturday afternoon waving signs and shouting about Musk and Tesla. We even saw several counter protesters who came out to support Musk — and Tesla.

London’s Tesla Takedown protest was a small affair, with 50-odd protestors, one dinosaur, and an inflatable Elon making that salute all perched outside a Tesla showroom in Park Royal, a neighborhood otherwise dominated by big box retailers, self-storage units, and ghost kitchens. But it’s come a long way since its humble beginnings six weeks ago, when it was just two protestors getting “kicked out of the Westfield shopping mall by security,” according to organizer John Gorenfeld.

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A protest on the side of a road in London.

A protest on the side of a road in London.
Photo: Dominic Preston / The Verge

Gorenfeld is a Californian, but this protest was English to a fault: polite, peaceful, and a little quiet. There was no police presence, and nor was one needed; even a Tesla pulling in didn’t attract much ire from the crowd. Fortunately, passing drivers were there to provide the noise — a “Honk If You Hate Elon” sign was answered by a chorus of cars, trucks, and at least one city bus. Londoners may not have come out in force, but it’s pretty clear where the city’s sympathies lie.

On a busy shopping street in Georgetown, DC, protesters are dancing outside a Tesla showroom to everything from “Hot to go,” to “Under Pressure,” to the viral TikTok hostile takeover song. They’re wearing a mix of shiny boas, boat captain hats, and floral shirts. The loosely boat-themed dance party has been attracting a steady stream of honks from passing cars, and many pedestrians are stopping to gleefully take pictures. “Nazi cars sold here,” says one sign, “Porsche = fast, Ferrari = faster, Tesla = fascist,” says another.

A protest in Georgetown, DC.

A protest in Georgetown, DC.
Photo: Lauren Feiner / The Verge

“Part of how fascism operates is they want people to be fearful,” says Sara Steffens, part of a team that calls themselves Dance Against DOGE. Steffens dons a floral outfit and a captain’s hat that she says symbolizes how the people are in charge of their destiny, rather than Trump and Musk. “Bullies operate on fear and they want us to be afraid of them … so this is like a full force showing.”

The mix of attendees appears to span many ages, and one of the groups rallying older generations to get involved is Third Act. Mark, an attendee affiliated with Third Act who declined to give his last name, said it was important to be at the protest “as someone with two grandchildren, trying to do something so that they can grow up in a place that’s safe.”

Protesters gather to rally during a Tesla Takedown, a nationwide peaceful protest movement, at a Tesla Showroom in the Coral Gables neighborhood in Miami.

Protesters gather to rally during a Tesla Takedown, a nationwide peaceful protest movement, at a Tesla Showroom in the Coral Gables neighborhood in Miami.
Photo by Eva Marie Uzcátegui / The Verge

Cruise down Route 17 in north New Jersey and you’ll see a ton of car dealerships. But for the past few weeks, none have seen quite as much action as the Tesla dealership near Paramus. Each weekend, protestors of all ages have been holding up signs at the side of the highway, encouraging drivers to sell their Teslas, dump their stock, and honk against fascism. Today, the vibe is a little different.

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The pro-Trumpers are here too — and the lines are clearly drawn.

“Last week, it was just us here,” says Ethan, a protester wearing a Super Mario Bros. Luigi cap and holding a sign that reads “Cyberfucked.” “Now all these Trump guys are here, walking around, doing whatever they want.”

Ethan, who declined to give his last name, says he’s been hassled by the Trump and Musk supporters. They’ve called him slurs, thrown water at him, and tried to grab his sign before a fellow protestor calmed the situation down. He says one Trump supporter told him his Luigi hat was offensive to Italian Americans. When I ask Ethan why he’s here today, he says “Because I fucking hate Elon Musk.” Then after a bit of thought, he adds, “We’re kind of screwed. It might not be much, but I want to at least say something and be heard by someone.”

Counterprotestors in New Jersey.

Counterprotestors in New Jersey.
Photo: Victoria Song / The Verge

On the other side, the Trump camp isn’t as concerned about holding up signs. They’re more milling about, grouping off into mini clusters. (They do, however, have many signs that read “Thank you Elon” and “Trump won.”) When I ask to speak to the organizer, I’m directed to John Tabacco — who wears a light blue blazer with prints of President Trump’s face.

“We need to show that there is support for what Elon Musk and DOGE is doing,” Tabacco says. He also takes issue when I characterize the pro-Trump crowd as a counterprotest. “This is a rally for us. A support rally for Trump, DOGE, and America-first policies. And I think those people,” he says, pointing to the anti-Tesla group, “Those people showed up today as counter-protesters.”

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Tesla service center here is closed on weekends. It’s just off Route 18, at an intersection that services a shopping center with a Home Depot, Chick-fil-A, a local bar chain called The Winking Lizard, and more. The turnout is surprising, about 40-50 people (and two very good dogs) are lined up on both sides of the street waving signs and ringing cowbells. There’s a man with a bullhorn rousing the crowd with slogans, “When immigrants are under attack, what do we do?” he yells. “Fight back!” The crowd responds.

There’s a variety of people here, including a lot more gray and white hair folks using scooters and wheelchairs. A woman in a high-visibility vest said she and a lot of the older people here came on behalf of Third Act Ohio, an activist group for folks over 60. It’s hard to hear her as people continuously drive by, honking their horns in support.

Arriving 20 minutes before the event, it was quiet, even though organizers were expecting the crowd to be large, with last week’s attendance estimated around 1,300. They were right. Within ten minutes the plaza was full of attendees with a diversity of signage ranging from “Deport Elon Musk”, “Stop the Attack on Democracy”, “Hands off our Social Security” plus many others.

Photo by Victoria Barrios / The Verge

Even though the crowd is large, organizers emphasize their message over the speakers; this is a peaceful non-violent protest. This is similar to what one of the organizers told me as well, “Despite what the administration is saying, we’re not domestic terrorists, we are absolutely peaceful, nonviolent, we provide guidance and say no harassment of the Tesla showroom. We just want to make our voices heard.”

Photo by Victoria Barrios / The Verge

Alice Grimm said this is about bringing down the power of the billionaire. “From Elon Musk’s perspective, any dollar that doesn’t go to him is wasted and efficiency is whatever fills his pocket. And so Tesla, where most of his wealth is, if what he cares about is that element, then trying to drive down the stock price of Tesla, that attacks Elon’s power.”

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Long Beach and Lakewood, California:

“I was on my way to another anti-Elon protest,” a woman named Nati said, while holding two signs at a Supercharger location in Lakewood. “I had to stop here when I saw everyone out.”

As Tesla owners pulled in and out, around 100 people stood on the sidewalk protesting. Most Tesla owners remained in their cars or went into nearby stores, largely avoiding the large crowd chanting, “This is what Democracy looks like,” and waving at passing cars that honked in support.

A man who asked to be identified as Sam set up a folding table and sold anti-Musk and Trump goods to passersby, though most at the Supercharger had brought their own homemade signs and wore shirts with “Gulf of Mexico,” and “Biden Harris,” emblazoned on them.

“I was on my way to another anti-Elon protest. I had to stop here when I saw everyone out.”

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At a Tesla dealership a few miles away, in Long Beach, around 250 people lined the sidewalks on both sides of a busy four-lane road near a Home Depot and Costco that is packed on the weekends. As drivers drove past, people honked, cheered, and pumped their fists out their car windows, showing support.

The protests in Long Beach were peaceful, with protestors remaining on public property, cheering as people honked in support, but a tiny number of Trump and Musk supporters did show up to troll the crowds.

At the Supercharger location, a family decided to engage the protesters, yelling that they were “stupid. ” Their young daughter, who looked to be around ten years old, screamed profanities at the protesters. A pair of police SUVs were parked across the street, keeping an eye on things, and one lone Musk supporter lingered nearby holding a sign thanking Musk.

An anti-Tesla protester who asked not to be identified said that she’d been at another protest in Long Beach in late February when a truck driver rolled down his window and tried to pepper spray the protesters. No one was hurt, but the woman said that it did concern her. “You just don’t know how people are going to respond to exercising your right to free speech,” she said.

Hundreds of protesters marched and chanted in front of a Tesla showroom in the Meatpacking District in New York City. The mood was lively and enthusiastic as protesters waved signs, danced in flaming cardboard Cybertruck costumes, and smashed toy cars on the sidewalk with a hammer. A moment of silence was held for a large portion of the crowd to lay down on the street with cardboard signs shaped like gravestones to stage a “die in” in front of the Tesla showroom.

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A protest in the Meatpacking District in New York City.

A protest in the Meatpacking District in New York City.
Photo: Owen Grove / The Verge

The protest was peaceful but there were two separate instances where protesters started shouting out for others not to engage with two men holding out microphones and asking questions. In the second instance of this, police that were surrounding the building came over to prevent one of these interviewers from engaging with the protesters. The man being escorted out of the crowd still held a microphone, walked backwards smiling and said “crackhead, come here” gesturing towards one of the protesters for an interview.

New York City.

New York City.
Photo: Owen Grove / The Verge

Slogans on signs varied in intensity. One sign depicted Elon Musk dressed as Emperor Palpatine that read, “Strike down Darth Ketamine, Congress must!!!” Another banner held by a group of three protesters read, “Burn A Tesla Save Democracy.”

Aside from some raised voices, there weren’t any violent altercations. The turnout at this protest was about three times larger than the protest at the same location a week earlier. As the protest neared its end there were chants of “we’ll be back” from the crowd. They were ready to come back for more.

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