Digital Trends

Life use to seem straightforward. You had a pretty good idea what attachments might be safe. Now it’s almost impossible to tell the good guys from the bad guys, especially as hackers have begun embedding malware in Microsoft Word documents.

 

The malware works when you open the attachment. The malware creates a buffer overflow on the user’s computer that allows the hacker to take it over.

 

If you run Windows Server 2003 Service Pack (SP) 2, Windows Vista, and Windows Vista SP 1 then you’re safe, TechNewsWorld reports.

 

However, with Microsoft Word 2000 SP 3, Microsoft Word 2002 SP 3, Microsoft Word 2003 SP 2, Microsoft Word 2003 SP 3, Microsoft Word 2007, and Microsoft Word 2007 SP 1 on Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 SP 1 you’re vulnerable.

 

A lot of this is due to the Jet Database Engine – the vulnerable software uses an older version that’s not present on Windows Vista. Microsoft believes these attacks are very rare, in part because they need a specific set of conditions in order to work properly. Their advice is to use a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware and to apply all software updates. And, of course, don’t open attachments sent by people you don’t know. Especially if they’re in Word.