• Exposed Amazon S3 bucket left wide open for anyone to access, further exacerbates the problem.

The recent incident involving the online PDF makers – PDF Pro and Help PDF – has raised serious concerns about the security and privacy of user data.

The revelation that these service providers have leaked a staggering 89,000 documents, including sensitive personal information such as passports, driving licenses, contracts and certificates, is a troubling breach of trust.

What makes this situation even more alarming is the apparent connection between the two PDF makers, which appear to be operated by the same UK-based legal entity and share a similar design.

The fact that multiple attempts to contact the service providers have gone unnoticed, coupled with the exposed Amazon S3 bucket that was left wide open for anyone to access, further exacerbates the problem.

The implications of this data breach are far-reaching. With access to such personal documents, criminals can engage in a wide range of fraudulent activities, including applying for loans, renting properties, or purchasing expensive items using the victim’s identity.

Furthermore, threat actors can alter or forge documents, such as contracts or licenses, to create fake identities, fabricate qualifications, or manipulate legal agreements for their own benefit, potentially causing significant legal issues for the affected individuals.