Triple threat targets Word users (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Users of Microsoft Word are being urged to be careful as malicious hackers target the word processing software.

Three unpatched bugs in Word have been uncovered in the last few weeks and two are already being exploited by attackers.

The loopholes being exploited allow attackers to create booby-trapped documents that steal information or take over a PC when they are opened.

Microsoft has yet to release patches to fix the bugs in the Word software.

Attack pattern

Information about the latest problem in Word was posted only a couple of days after Microsoft's released its latest security update.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6196213.stm

[hobbit709]

1. I refuse to use Microshaft Orifice

My WordPerfect works just fine. Opens Office documents perfectly-the reverse doesn't happen. Same document is half the file size as a .wpd instead of .doc, exports to .pdf no problem without an addon plugin. Could care less about Powerpoint and WordPerfect even opens Excel spreadsheets in the word processor and they look right and saves changes correctly-something Excel doesn't even do right sometimes.

[rodeodance]

2. I like WordPerfect also

[divineorder]

6. Just unlocked my Word Perfect

It sounds like it's worth the money. But the times I have used Word Perfect, I've found it much easier to use. And not having to worry about bugs and viruses makes it even sweeter.

[FlaGranny]

8. Unfortunately I have to use it.

MS word is required for my job. It is integrated into my work system. I also much prefer Word Perfect. At least I used to. So much easier to use.

[Tangledog]

12. Just can't top WordPerfect

I love the way you can record macros and do customized keyboards without spending half a day editing templates, and I love being able to fix my own formatting via Reveal Codes.

I'm not reflexively anti-Microsoft -- I actually like Windows -- but the .doc format is inherently unstable and opaque. Section breaks are evil. All Word has to offer is guaranteed lifetime employment for IT professionals (which is probably why it has become so ubiquitous) and misery for anyone who has to do more ambitious than type the same damned memo every day. It's probably set back the potential of personal computing by a generation.

I love OpenOffice.org's development model, and the recent version 2 is a significant improvement over its predecessors. OOo files do not seem prone to corruption or damage. That said, I've been working on transcribing manuscripts left by a long-deceased relative, and have done some of the work in OOo Writer and some in WordPerfect. I have to conclude that WordPerfect is still unparalleled at long, complex documents, and at the subtleties of footnote placement.

[Tesha]

3. It's been a long time since vi caught a virus.

It's been a long time since vi caught a virus.

In fact, I'm pretty sure it's been *forever*! ;)

Tesha

[billyoc]

7. If nobody else tells you they love you today, Tesha,

I do. :)

[Tesha]

14. Thanks -- I promise not to tell Mr. Tesha! ;-) (NT)

[Drifter]

9. Indeed ....

There is also no such thing as a UNIX virus.

Viruses are programs that expose the weaknesses of an Operating System.

Cheers
Drifter

[anotherdrew]

10. no in unix we just get "root-kit"ed, all OSs have vulnerabilities

M$ has made a lot of rotten decision however that make the windows house of cards especially weak.

[Tesha]

13. Oh yeah, I quake in my boots every day that my Solaris system...

Oh yeah, I quake in my boots every day that my Solaris system
is going to fall prey to a virus, rootkit, or other nasty. ;)

Tesha

[qnr]

16. Well, technically there is, but it was just proof-of-concept work n/t

[qnr]

17. Yeah, but I did see emacs giving it some cooties once n/t

[Tesha]

18. :-) (NT)

[Systematic Chaos]

4. Kudos for somebody here for posting about Open Office some time ago

I now have the Open Office suite on my computer and refuse to even open the Micro$haft crap. And to think, at one point I was considering shelling out $150 to get a license for Office 2003 for three computers when I only need it for one. Screw 'em.

[gulfcoastliberal]

5. Another OpenOffice devotee checking in. Thanks to DU for introducing me to it!

nt

[kineneb]

11. OpenOffice.org on Linux

Ah, sweet happiness. Ideal for the low-income folks like me. And a bonus: it does everything I need, and more.

For image processing, try The Gimp.
http://www.gimp.org

[Porcupine]

15. Well it's a good thing those people didn't buy Macs.......

because then things would be worse, somehow.

:sarcasm:

[Tesha]

19. Actually, the saddest part is that these Word "exposures"...

Actually, the saddest part is that these Word "exposures"
often *DO* affect Macs equally. At least one of Microsoft's
recent Word disclosures affected *EVERY* version of Word
since Word 2003 (inclusive), including the latest version
of Word running on the Mac.

Microsoft: A platform-agnostic provider of crapware.

Tesha