Be careful when working with PDF files

With convenient and consistent features, PDF is one of the most popular and trusted text file formats in the technology world. However, few people know that the type of file that they are exposed to on a computer is the most used format to transmit the virus.

Gone are the days when the virus was hidden in heavy JPEG format photos, or EXE executable files were suspicious as soon as they were seen. The popular PDF format with multisystem advantage is becoming the most used format to infect malware and perform remote attacks.

PDF format (Portable Document Format) was introduced by Adobe in 1993 with the aim of creating a uniform display text system on every platform and working environment, serving the printing work consistently. and copyright protection. While PDF is becoming more and more popular with computer users when sharing books, newspapers or documents online, the security risk is also increasing.

In Symantec's newly released 2011 security report, in addition to network security threats such as SpyEye and Zeus botnet, an increase in malicious websites, the PDF format is determined to be becoming a format. The most popular but also the most dangerous file.

Not many people know that it is really easy to embed malicious code or integrate virus into a PDF text file. When opening PDF files with Adobe Reader old version or free software, these scripts are executed automatically and sometimes not detected by antivirus programs.

It is the popularity and convenience of PDF that attracts hackers, thus creating a variety of different types of fraudulent attacks. At this point, PDF shares the same fate with Adobe Flash.

In 2010, 65% of planned attacks were based on the method of taking advantage of PDF files. The absolute trust of users in the PDF format is " innocent " to turn these files into great tools for transporting viruses and malware. If this trend continues, by mid-2011 how to attack via PDF files will account for more than three-quarters of the total targeted attacks.

The Symantec report states, " For years, PDF has been used to make random and deliberate attacks, but many still assume that PDF is a safe and reliable file format. Real. In fact, PDF is the most popular format for sharing and publishing electronic documents ".

" However, PDF is becoming one of the most dangerous file formats available today and needs to be handled with care, as well as the EXE file format. Because legitimate fake malicious components can be created. easily with PDF format, so this format is much more dangerous than EXE ".

By updating and using the latest version of Adobe Reader (of course, getting worse), users can temporarily trust the text format they are exposed to. If you know how to take precautions, PDF will still be just a normal file that can't be harmed.

And guess what Symantec's 2011 Security Report was released in? Of course, PDF.