It’s old news that you shouldn’t open Email attachments you weren’t expecting from people you don’t know. I have tech-head friends who won’t even try and fix your computer if you do because, in their words, “You’re too stupid to own a computer anyway”. Harsh!
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!
This 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 fasioned 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.
