PDF files are increasingly used to spread malware like viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware. Adobe Reader and its big brother Adobe Acrobat are found on almost every Windows machine and many Macs too. This makes PDFs a favorite vector of infection for the black hats (AKA the bad guys).
There are two changes you should make to the Reader or Acrobat Preferences to harden the security on your computer. These changes will make your computer more secure while still allowing you to read and edit, if you have Acrobat, PDF files.
Disable JavaScript in Reader or Acrobat
1. Select Edit —> Preferences from the menu.
2. Select JavaScript from the Categories on the left side of the Preferences dialog.
3. Uncheck the box for Enable Acrobat JavaScript.
4. Click the OK button.
Disable Reader or Acrobat from running other programs
1. Select Edit —> Preferences from the menu.
2. Select Trust Manager from the Categories on the left side of the Preferences dialog.
3. Uncheck the box for Allow opening of non-PDF file attachments with external applications.
4. Click the OK button.
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