Published by Dental Accounting Group | The Successful Dentist™ | March 2026
Article Body
CRC Technologies collaborates with DAG to help keep our clients informed on the latest cyber threats and cybersecurity risks impacting dental practices. CRC provides managed IT services, backed by over two decades of industry experience, to over 375 dental practices across the Pacific Northwest, helping protect sensitive data, personal information, and critical systems from cybercriminals and attackers.
Fake PDF Reader Scam: Make Your Office Admin Aware!
CRC is seeing an uptick in two common attack methods targeting small businesses: “free” PDF readers and malicious Excel files. In the first case, someone searches online for a PDF reader, converter, or “editor” and ends up downloading software that looks legitimate but is actually bundled with malware, spyware, or other malicious code. These fake PDF converters and fake sites often mimic official websites or trusted brand elements, making them difficult to identify. These installers can add hidden background tools that track activity, steal passwords, capture login credentials, and create a foothold for a larger compromise or data theft involving sensitive information and bank accounts.
With Excel files, we’re seeing more suspicious documents designed to trick users into enabling risky features. These often arrive by email and look like routine spreadsheets labeled as invoices, statements, payroll, or reports, but then prompt you to “Enable Content” or “Enable Macros” to view the file properly. That prompt is one of the biggest red flags: macros can run malicious code on your computer and are a common malware delivery method used by hackers, threat actors, and cybercriminals. If an Excel file is asking to enable macros or is throwing a malware alert, stop and do not proceed.
CRC’s security protections are designed to detect and block these threats by scanning downloads, suspicious PDFs, and malicious PDF files, and quarantining anything that matches known malicious patterns or behavior. This includes monitoring for ransomware, trojans, and spyware that may attempt to connect to remote servers or compromise personal data. If you see a malware alert, that means the protection worked. Do not click “allow,” “override,” or try to install a different “free” version to get around the warning.
Practical Guidance
A practical tip: in many cases you don’t need a “free PDF editor” at all. Modern browsers like Firefox can open a PDF and allow basic text entry and simple edits (and you can always use approved tools your IT team provides). Please avoid installing any free software from the internet unless it’s explicitly approved, and do not open Excel files that trigger a warning or request macros. If something appears urgent but gets blocked, contact your IT support or CRC so we can validate it safely and provide an approved, secure option.
Please avoid installing any free software, online file converters, or free online converters from the internet unless it’s explicitly approved. These tools are often used by attackers as a gateway for malware, identity theft, and credential theft. As a best way to protect your systems, rely on approved antivirus software, secure environments, or even sandbox tools like Browserling to safely review suspicious PDFs when needed.
Do not open suspicious documents or malicious PDFs that trigger a warning or request macros. If something appears urgent but gets blocked, contact your IT support or CRC so we can validate it safely and provide an approved, secure option. Taking extra caution can prevent a privacy nightmare and protect your practice from serious cybersecurity incidents.
Contact CRC Technologies
| “At CRC, we’re monitoring this issue closely. If you want a list of recommended protections and more info on spotting these scams, please contact us at he**@******hs.com”Your security is our priority.— James Cosgrove, CEOCRC (Computer Resource Corporation)P (206) 441-5042 | F (206) 374-2264 | Direct (206) 254-02221125 N 140th St Seattle WA 98133 |
| DAG has not received financial benefits for endorsing CRC. They are our preferred vendor for dental practice IT services in Washington because they are the best at what they do — serving the unique needs of dental practices! © 2026 DG Accounting Professionals LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
Dental Accounting Group • Bellevue, WA • cpa4dds.com • 425.216.1612
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