PowerPoint affected by virus

Date: July 24, 2006
Source: Techtree.com


In an advisory on its Web site, Microsoft Corp has warned against a new virus that exploits a vulnerability in its PowerPoint presentation software, allowing hackers to infiltrate computer systems.

PowerPoint 2000, 2002, and 2003 are affected by the vulnerability.

According to Microsoft, the virus is carried out either when the user launches a PowerPoint attachment to an email, or when he/she opens a file provided by the hacker. Users could also be lured to Web pages containing a file exploiting the PowerPoint software.

Once the corrupt PowerPoint file is triggered, the virus installs a keystroke logging system to capture everything typed on the infected machine. Typically, the machine is left open to the hacker installing other malicious programs as well.

Microsoft says it will release a security update to fix this flaw latest by Aug 8, 2006.

Although attacks have been limited so far, the company advises users to be careful while opening or saving PowerPoint files, especially those that turn-up unexpectedly.
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