Campaigns, Beware: Free File Converters Are a Cybersecurity Threat
Campaign staffers often turn to free online file converters in a pinch — but the FBI warns many of these tools are laced with malware, ransomware, and information stealers.
I get it. You’re on the campaign trail, and someone sends you a PDF that you need as a PNG or JPG. You don’t know what to do, so you ask Google — and up pops a list of websites that promise to solve your problem in seconds.
STOP.
This shortcut can become a serious security risk.
One shortcut that needs to be shut down across all campaigns immediately: using “free” online file converters.
Are Free Online File Converters Safe?
Earlier this year, the FBI’s Denver Field Office issued a public warning about a surge in scam websites masquerading as file converters. These sites promise quick conversions — like turning a Word doc into a PDF — but they often deliver far more than the user bargained for.
Instead of just converting your file, these tools frequently install hidden malware, ransomware, or adware on your device. Some even deploy information-stealing malware that can grab everything from your passwords and financial credentials to Social Security numbers.
It doesn’t matter if the site looks legit, or if it “worked last time.” That’s the trap. These tools often do perform the requested conversion — but while you're opening your shiny new PDF, malware is quietly setting up shop in the background.
What Happens When a Campaign Uses a Bad File Converter?
Campaigns handle enormous volumes of personally identifiable information (PII) — volunteer lists, donor data, internal passwords, and voter contact files. A single infected machine can jeopardize the entire digital ecosystem of a campaign, especially in fast-paced environments where files are shared widely and security awareness varies by staffer.
Now, a quick word of clarity: Not every online file converter is malicious — but the problem is, it’s almost impossible to tell which ones are safe. Many of these scam sites do function as advertised, giving users a working PDF or image.
That’s what makes them so dangerous: they appear legitimate while quietly installing malware or tracking tools in the background.
Even if a site works once, there’s no guarantee it’s safe the next time — and campaigns can’t afford that gamble.
Some of the risks include:
Ransomware attacks, which can cripple entire operations.
Credential theft, including banking, email, and social platforms.
Session hijacking, even bypassing multi-factor authentication.
Long-term surveillance, allowing threat actors to monitor internal campaign activity.
Safe Alternatives to Online File Converters
There’s no excuse for taking shortcuts when better tools exist. Here’s what your campaign should be using instead:
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC – Allows safe, local conversion of documents to and from PDF.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs – Both offer built-in PDF export features.
Preview (Mac) and Print to PDF (Windows) – Simple and secure for most basic needs.
Cloud storage tools like Google Drive or Dropbox – These offer trusted built-in conversions that don’t require downloading shady third-party files.
Your digital team should establish a centralized conversion process, preferably using licensed software. If you’re unsure whether a tool is safe, it probably isn’t.
How Campaigns Can Prevent File Converter Scams
Security needs to be part of your campaign culture from day one. That includes:
Staff training – Every staffer, intern, and volunteer should know: never use free online file converters.
Device management – Ensure all campaign devices have active anti-malware protection.
Browser hygiene – Block access to risky sites with browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Malwarebytes Browser Guard.
Centralize file handling – Keep all document conversions within a shared drive or protected internal system.
What to Do if Your Campaign Downloads Malware
If someone on your team has used one of these tools and you suspect malware may have been installed:
Stop using the affected device immediately.
Contact your financial institutions to secure any linked accounts.
Change all passwords, ideally from a clean device.
Run a full anti-malware scan using a trusted program like Malwarebytes or Clean My Mac (what I use).
Report the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).
Some domains identified as threats include:
convertallfiles[.]comimageconvertors[.]comconvertix-api[.]xyzfreejpgtopdfconverter[.]com
Avoid these — and any similar services — at all costs.
Final Thought
Campaigns run on urgency, but digital security isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s foundational. Don’t trade a 10-second PDF conversion for a full-blown data breach. Educate your team, lock down your systems, and keep conversion tasks where they belong: inside secure, trusted tools.