You nearly definitely know the state of affairs when a good friend or colleague sends you recordsdata in a format you possibly can’t open. For instance, you requested for pictures, anticipating JPEGs or PNGs, however as a substitute they arrive in HEIC format. What do most individuals do on this case? That’s proper, they search for a free on-line file-converter.
In case you’re a long-time reader of our Kaspersky Every day weblog, you most likely already know that the preferred technique of doing most something is hardly the most secure. File conversion isn’t any completely different. Let’s determine collectively what threats are lurking inside free online-converters, and learn the way to alter file format safely.
Why is that this necessary? As a result of changing a file is just not merely a matter of fixing its extension — in any other case you could possibly simply rename the file from, say, EPUB to MP3. As an alternative, the converter program should learn the file, perceive what it incorporates, convert the info and re-save it in a distinct format — and every of those levels poses its personal threats.
Private information leakage, malware, and different threats
The primary threat that springs to thoughts is private information leakage. Even in case you’re a “who on earth wants my information?” sort of individual, you need to nonetheless take care: your trip snaps could also be of no use to anybody, however confidential work paperwork are a distinct kettle of fish. Whenever you add a file to an internet converter, you possibly can by no means make certain that the positioning received’t save a replica of your file for its personal functions. Uploaded information can simply find yourself within the palms of scammers, and even be used to launch an assault in your firm. And in case you get fingered because the intruders’ entry level into the company community, your infosec crew will hardly be thanking you.
In case you suppose this risk applies solely to textual content or spreadsheet paperwork, and {that a} photograph of some accounting assertion might be safely uploaded and transformed to PDF, suppose once more. Optical character recognition (OCR) was invented final century, and now, with AI, even cellular Trojans have discovered to extract information of curiosity to attackers from pictures in your smartphone gallery.
One other frequent threat is malware an infection. Some doubtful converter websites might modify your recordsdata or add malicious code to the transformed file — and with out dependable safety you received’t find out about it till it’s too late. The transformed recordsdata might comprise scripts, Trojans, macros, and different nasty stuff we’ve coated intimately many instances.
Converter websites may additionally be phishing, so providers asking you to register, enter a load of non-public information, and purchase a subscription simply to transform a file from, say, PDF to DOC, ought to be eyed with suspicion. In case you nonetheless plan to make use of an internet converter, search for one which doesn’t require registration, and by no means give it your fee particulars.
How one can convert recordsdata domestically
The most secure means is to transform recordsdata domestically; that’s, by yourself system with out utilizing third-party websites. This fashion, the info is assured to stay confidential — a minimum of till you connect with the web. You may change a file’s format utilizing both system instruments or in style packages.
For textual content and spreadsheet recordsdata, in addition to displays, Microsoft Workplace may also help. It may learn many file codecs utilizing the File → Open or File → Import instructions (relying on the model of Workplace and the working system), and save them in several codecs utilizing the File → Save as → Save as sort (or File format) or File → Export instructions. The record of accessible codecs is lengthy: from PDF and HTML to the OpenDocument customary.
In case you don’t have entry to Microsoft merchandise, you should utilize the free options LibreOffice and OpenOffice, which additionally assist varied textual content and desk file codecs. On Home windows, textual content paperwork may also be transformed in a built-in WordPad editor, though it reads far fewer file sorts.
For macOS customers, Apple’s workplace functions (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) acknowledge and save paperwork in many various codecs.
As for graphics recordsdata, issues are even easier. Constructed-in operating-system instruments may also help convert photographs from PNG to JPEG. On Home windows, simply use this command in Paint: File → Save as. macOS customers don’t even have to open any packages — simply right-click the picture in Finder and choose Fast Actions → Convert Picture. The window that opens offers you a alternative of format (PNG, JPEG, HEIF) and transformed picture measurement.
If the above conversion choices aren’t sufficient — for instance, you’re dealing with audio/video recordsdata or particular file codecs — search for offline instruments with a stable repute as free and open-source software program (FOSS).
For video (and plenty of audio) codecs, try Handbrake (Home windows, macOS, Linux) and Shutter Encoder (Home windows, macOS, Linux); for audio, attempt Audacity, and for photographs, ImageMagick (Home windows, macOS, Linux).
Most multimedia converters merely add a graphical interface to FFmpeg, maybe the highest device for changing multimedia codecs. Its solely disadvantage (which for some is a plus) is that it solely works from the command line.
In case you’re effective with the command line, FFmpeg is the apparent alternative (however, being effective, you’ve most likely received it put in already). One other nice alternative for command line followers is Pandoc — a flexible converter of textual content and markup codecs. By the way, underneath Extras on the Pandoc web site, you will discover many third-party utilities for including a graphical interface to this converter, or embedding it in different editors, providers, and even working techniques.
All the above converters are FOSS (free and open-source software program), and assist a minimum of the preferred working techniques: Home windows, macOS, Linux.
When selecting different offline converters, guarantee that the conversion actually does happen domestically — many instruments merely present an interface to on-line converters and nonetheless ship your supply recordsdata to a server. That is very simple to test by disconnecting from the web earlier than changing. If the device doesn’t work, it’s not an offline converter.
How one can convert recordsdata on-line as safely as potential
Generally there’s no avoiding on-line converters — for instance, you have been despatched a file in some extremely unique or outdated format. The subsequent part appears at how you can reduce threats when changing recordsdata on-line.
Alas, it’s unimaginable to ensure confidentiality when utilizing an internet converter. Its creators can write no matter they need within the web site’s insurance policies, however you’ll by no means know what truly occurs to your uploaded information. Subsequently, the golden rule is: by no means convert delicate info on-line.
You probably have a Google account (and who doesn’t?), you possibly can add the file you need to convert to Google Drive (most workplace codecs are accepted), right-click, and open it in Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, then obtain it in a distinct format. Among the many pluses, this technique additionally works on cellular gadgets — though on this case it’s extra handy to open the file within the related Google modifying device.
One other pretty secure strategy to convert both textual content or graphics recordsdata is Adobe’s on-line converter. You may even use it at no cost on a smartphone — however there’s a catch: all uploaded information will get saved on Adobe’s servers, making this technique unsuitable for confidential recordsdata.
Comply with these guidelines to make sure most security when changing recordsdata on-line:
- Use respected on-line converters.
- Open the converter web site in a brand new browser window in Incognito mode; this may scale back the quantity of knowledge collected about you — however not right down to zero.
- Use a dependable VPN to cover your actual IP tackle from the converter web site.
- Overview the net converter’s privateness coverage to grasp how your information will probably be dealt with. Ensure that the service doesn’t acquire, retailer, or switch info with out your consent — or a minimum of claims to not.
- Examine that the recordsdata for conversion don’t comprise confidential info.
- Scan the transformed recordsdata with an antivirus. Be very cautious if the converter web site needs you to obtain the end in an archive — particularly a password-protected one, since that is the most typical strategy to conceal a virus from safety software program. In case you don’t have any safety software program in your system (heaven forbid), you possibly can scan the downloaded file utilizing our on-line file checker.
- Keep away from unverified websites that require registration and fee particulars.
Unzip this
Lastly, a small life-hack that few folks find out about. Generally you don’t have to convert a file to a different format in any respect, however simply extract info from it; for instance — pull photographs out of a textual content doc or presentation of their unique format. Doing this even with native editors is normally time-consuming and inconvenient — it’s important to export the pictures one after the other, and the editors may change their measurement or compress them, deteriorating the image high quality.
However there’s a means spherical this. The key is that recordsdata of many codecs are nothing greater than a compressed folder with subfolders that retailer “items of the puzzle”: textual content, photographs, embedded movies, and the like. And it’s all zipped. Which means that the majority office-suite recordsdata are ZIPs with the extension modified to DOCX, PPTX, PAGES, and so on.
To extract all of the contents from this “archive”, you merely have to rename the file, altering its extension to ZIP, after which unzip it. The outcome will probably be a folder with subfolders through which all of the “components” of the unique doc are neatly laid out.
So, in case you come throughout an unknown file format, to begin with scan it for viruses with a dependable safety resolution, then make a replica of it, change the extension to ZIP (in macOS, if the file extension is hidden, chances are you’ll have to press ⌘+I to alter it), and attempt to unzip the file — in lots of circumstances this may work. Subsequent, have a rummage round within the ensuing folder — you’ll discover all kinds of goodies!
