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PowerPoint Users Vulnerable to Trojan Attacks

by Tim Stevens on April 3, 2009 at 02:01 PM

PowerPoint is Latest MS Software with Vulnerability Once merely the bane of presentation attendees, Microsoft's PowerPoint presentation tool is now the bane of security experts everywhere, and the latest in a long line of Microsoft vulnerabilities. Microsoft has issued a warning, telling people to be careful when opening PowerPoint presentation files. This latest security hole allows hackers to run malicious code remotely if a user opens one of the affected presentation files (files usually ending in .ppt).

Although Microsoft hasn't yet released a patch for this flaw, there are some things you can do to avoid trouble. First, be wary of e-mails with .ppt attachments from people that you don't know; it's always a good idea to be careful with any file coming from an unknown source. Similarly, be cautious around messages that look like they've been forwarded, even if it's from a friend or family member.


The vulnerability affects Microsoft Office's PowerPoint 2000, 2002, and 2003, and Power Point for Mac 2004. The attack is said to be "limited and targeted," which is probably supposed to be some sort of assurance, but the lack of a patch isn't too assuring to us.

So, if some random person sends you a presentation that promises to contain great things, you'll hopefully know what to do; don't open it. Just sit tight with the rest of us and wait for the patch. [From: Threatpost and Microsoft Malware Protection Center]

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Tags: microsoft, microsoft powerpoint, MicrosoftPowerpoint, powerpoint, security, security threat, SecurityThreat, vulnerability

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