Los PDF files They have become an essential part of daily life, both work and personally. However, this same popularity has transformed them into a recurring objective for cybercriminals, who use them to malware or deceive unsuspecting users.
ESET experts warn that a malicious PDF can install harmful software, Steal sensitive information or take advantage of vulnerabilities of your PDF reader.
What can a malicious PDF do?
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An infected file can act in different ways: from downloading bank trly to the execution processes in the background without you noticing it. In recent campaigns, PDFS has been used to distribute the Trojan Grandoreiro, a malware that steals credentials and financial data.
How do malicious PDFs disguise?
The attackers usually camouflage the files with legitimate appearance. Among the most common are: false invoices, work curriculums or supposed medical results. To gain credibility, they are usually sent through phishing electronic emails that appeal to the user’s urgency.
Techniques used in these attacks
Malicious PDFs may contain embedded scripts, hidden links or take advantage of programs such as Adobe Reader or Foxit. These elements are activated just by opening the file or interacting with it, facilitating the infection of the device.
Signals to detect a dangerous PDF
Some clues to identify a suspicious file are:
- Zip or rar compressed files.
- Deceptive names, such as “Document.pdf.exe” or “Invoice.pdf”.
- Correos of unknown senders or addresses that do not coincide with the company they claim to represent.
- Unexpected files that have no relationship with you.
What to do if you receive a suspicious PDF?
If you get a doubtful file, it is advisable to analyze it on platforms such as Virustotal, check the real extension and keep your PDFs viewer updated. In addition, avoid opening compressed documents or that come from unknown sources.
In case of opening a malicious PDF, experts advise to disconnect your Internet team, scan it with antimalware, review active processes and change passwords from your most sensitive accounts, in this way you will be protecting your data and your team.
