Member Article

Beware virus-carrying PowerPoint files

With Dr Simon Raybould, Curved Vision TheatreA few days ago I posted a bit of a warning about PowerPoint files on our presentation skills blog. Everyone knows that you shouldn’t open email attachments you weren’t expecting from people you don’t know. But up until now I’ve thought that PowerPoint files were safe - well, in terms of computer security at least, if not in terms of their content!Last week however, Microsoft released this notice (about Trojan.PPDropper.B - along with the steps needed to remove it from your Windows system).According to other sources, opening a hostile PowerPoint file can result in your PC’s security being compromised and the machine being taken over and potentially used maliciously (which can happen without you knowing much about it!). The level of risk and damage isn’t thought to be high, but the inconvenience can be huge.Like I say, you have to open the file in the ‘old fashioned way’ of spreading problems from one computer to another, but it’s the first time I know of that PowerPoint files have been used in this way, so it’s a caution that bears repeating.As always, comments and questions to me at sme@curved-vision.co.uk or visit www.curved-vision.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .