You’re just trying to get things done. Maybe you need to turn a boring Word doc into a PDF for a client, or you’re looking to swap an MP3 into a ringtone. You do what everyone does: you open Chrome, Edge, or Safari and type "free online file converter" into the search bar.
It feels safe. It's just a tool, right?
Well, the FBI says otherwise. A massive new alert from the bureau’s Denver Field Office and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has specifically called out users of the big three browsers. They aren't just worried about "dark web" hackers anymore. They are worried about the everyday tools you use to manage your digital life.
The File Converter Trap
Honestly, it’s a brilliant scam.
Cybercriminals have started flooding search results with fake utility websites. These sites claim to offer free document conversions—PDF to Word, JPG to PDF, the usual stuff. Here’s the kicker: the tool actually works. You upload your file, it converts it, and you download the "new" version.
But while you’re busy saving your document, the site is quietly dropping a "payload" onto your machine. This isn't just a slow computer issue. We are talking about high-level malware that can scrape your saved passwords, grab your bank login details, or even lock your entire hard drive for a ransomware payment.
The FBI has noted that these sites are appearing at the very top of search results in Google and Bing. Why? Because the hackers are paying for "Sponsored" ads.
Real Examples of Sites to Avoid
While the FBI doesn't always like to name names, cybersecurity researchers at Malwarebytes and experts like Will Thomas have identified several domains that were part of this specific wave. If you see these in your browser history, you’ve got a problem.
- Imageconvertors[.]com (Phishing)
- Convertallfiles[.]com (Adware)
- Convertix-api[.]xyz (Trojan)
- 9convert[.]com (Riskware)
- Convertscloud[.]com (Phishing)
It’s not just about these specific names, though. Scammers swap these out faster than you can keep track of. They’ll change one letter in a URL—like using ".net" instead of ".com"—just to trick you into thinking it’s the site you’ve used for years.
Why Chrome, Edge, and Safari?
You might wonder why the FBI is singling out these browsers. It isn't because the browsers themselves are "broken." It’s because of how we use them.
Chrome, Edge, and Safari represent the vast majority of web traffic. Hackers go where the people are. Furthermore, many of these scams rely on malicious browser extensions. A recent report found over 15 popular Chrome extensions that were secretly altered to steal API keys and session tokens.
Basically, if you have an extension for "Video Effects" or "Free Ad Blocking" that you haven't updated or checked in a year, you could be at risk.
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The "Sponsored" Ad Problem
This is where it gets really annoying.
Most of us have been trained to trust the top results on Google. But the FBI's latest PSA warns that "SEO poisoning" is real. Scammers buy the top ad spots for keywords like "official bank login" or "IRS tax forms."
When you click that top link in Safari or Edge, you aren't going to the real site. You're going to a pixel-perfect clone. You enter your username. You enter your password. You even enter your two-factor code. The scammer gets it all in real-time.
What You Should Actually Do
Stop using random web-based converters for sensitive documents. If you’re converting a tax return or a business contract, don't use a site you found on page one of a search engine.
Use the tools already on your computer. Most modern versions of Windows and macOS allow you to "Export as PDF" or "Save As" different formats without ever opening a browser. If you must use a web tool, stick to the big players: Adobe Acrobat’s official site, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive.
Check your extensions. Right now. Open your browser settings and look at what you have installed. If you don't recognize it or don't use it, kill it.
Never click the "Sponsored" link. It sounds paranoid, but it's the safest way to browse in 2026. Scroll down to the organic results or, better yet, type the URL directly into the address bar.
Enable a Passkey. If your bank or email offers Passkeys, use them. They are much harder to "phish" than a traditional password because they require a physical device or biometric (like your thumbprint) to work.
If you think you’ve been hit, don't wait for your computer to start acting weird. Change your passwords from a different device—like your phone—and file a report at IC3.gov. It might feel like a hassle, but it's the only way the FBI can track these groups and take down the malicious domains.
Immediate Next Steps
- Audit your browser: Go to
chrome://extensionsor the equivalent in Edge/Safari and delete anything you haven't used in the last 30 days. - Clear your cache: If you've visited a suspicious converter site recently, clear your browsing data to remove any persistent tracking cookies.
- Use a dedicated app: Download the desktop version of tools like VLC for media or Adobe for PDFs instead of using web-based "quick fixes."