Zero-Day exploit targeting MS word

[Rodney]

Recently Microsoft had announced that there was an unpatched flaw in the word document which could be easily exploited and there were no pre-patch workarounds available. Almost all the versions of MS word are affected including MS works 2004, 05 and 06 suites.
Keeping this in mind how safe is opening any word attachment that we receive?

[paul]

Thanks for that news! However, the Microsoft advisory added that attacks are “limited,” and as a best practice, users should always exercise extreme caution when opening unsolicited attachments from both known and unknown sources. So nothing seems so serious.

[Rodney]

Originally Posted by paul

Thanks for that news! However, the Microsoft advisory added that attacks are “limited,” and as a best practice, users should always exercise extreme caution when opening unsolicited attachments from both known and unknown sources. So nothing seems so serious.

I do agree to it Paul, but don't you think that this can be a serious issue for millions of users who are not aware of such attacks.This will also have a greater impact on the release of Windows Vista and may be that's the reason for this kind of attack by the spammers.

[kev woodman]

Viruses in Word files are really rare these days. As long as your AV is up to date then you shouldn't have a problem. Has there been a virus targeted at this vulnerability or is it just a precautionary thing? Either way I don't think it's much of a worry.

[paul]

I think most of the users have reasonable common sense & and they have already installed such as AVG and other Anti-spyware to protect from these vulnerability.

[kev woodman]

Although AVG free ends in January - probably worth a post that.

[Rodney]

Originally Posted by paul

I think most of the users have reasonable common sense & and they have already installed such as AVG and other Anti-spyware to protect from these vulnerability.

I think that to be just an assumption as when I was working as a hardware technician 70% of home users would have issues related to spyware and virus. And they knew nothing about it.
There are just handful of people who are really good at protecting their computer from malacious software. Even though most of the computers come with an anti- virus software it is a must to update them regularly or renew their subscription. Here’s were majority of people fail.

[kev woodman]

I'd agree with Rodney - I've lost track of the number of friends and family for whom i have installed security apps only to find that a couple of months later they have failed to use them/switched them off/never updated them. This is why built-in firewalls, Av and anti-spyware is such a good thing for Windows/Vista.

[Rodney]

Yes it is good thing for Windows/Vista and for millions of users as well.

[sanderson]

I have no idea about vista but XP's firewall proved not good enough to protect your system from these malicious things.

I hope vista's firewall will give two way protection. Quite expensive though.

[kev woodman]

Vista's firewall is much improved.

[Rodney]

Originally Posted by kev woodman

Vista's firewall is much improved.

When it comes to windows it is always doubtful.For the fact that everyone is aware that Microsoft products are an easy target for the bad minds.

[chris]

The price which is assumed for Windows Vista is very high as compared to others but at the same time it will be that good also and getting two way protection is highly looked on by the prospective buyers. Vista will be high on security and advanced which will prevent it from getting targeted from people with bad intentions which we will come to know on its release.

[kev woodman]

Vista has some really good security features and a firewall's popularity doesn't make it less effective otherwise Norton and Zone Alarm would be in trouble. From a business point of view bitlocker looks like offering some serious protection that isn't available anywhere else.