This and That Technology Tips Outlook Vulnerability - Outlook 2002/Office XP March 14th 2004 A new vulnerability has surfaced which allows hackers to do evil things to your computer just by clicking on an email address on a website. They use the "mailto:" command - which opens up your email program to execute rogue code and pretty much do whatever a hacker wants to your computer. Outlook 2002 is part of the Office XP suite of products. This is a very specific vulnerability - but I'll tell you below how to update all versions of MS Office. This vulnerability only affects Outlook 2002 (also know as Outlook version 10) which is part of the Office (not Windows) XP Suite. It does not affect any other versions of Outlook - including other versions for Windows (Outlook '97, '98, Outlook 2000 and Outlook 2003), Macintosh (all versions) and Linux (just kidding). It does not affect any versions of Outlook Express. It is still a good idea to update whatever version of Office you have with the sites listed below. If you don't have Office CD - you'll most likely need to get a copy from someone or buy a new copy to install updates. As before, due to the spammers lurking on my mailing list (I'm working on it), please use my new email address or this form to contact me: http://www.itmcomputing.com/contact_computer.php . Do not reply to this email. To protect yourself from the aforementioned Outlook vulnerability, apply the following patch: Update Outlook 2002/Office XP http://snipurl.com/4zvo You will most likely need either your Office XP or Outlook 2002 CD in place. 99% of people don't buy Outlook by itself - you most likely purchased it when you bought Office XP (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook). There's a small chance you won't need the CD when installing just this update. To read more about this vulnerability - in technical terms - go to : http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA04-070A.html ********************************************* Web Design by In The Moment Computing We'll design the perfect site for you!! So, you've started a small business, you've been reading my computing tips, and you decide it's time for a new website. Or, you want a makeover on your current site and you just don't have the time to learn HTML (ugh!). Well, we've been providing web design services for over 5 years now and our designs just keep getting better. Take a gander at our current portfolio with the newest websites up top: http://www.itmcomputing.com/webportfolio.php . We'll be happy to provide you with a free quotation - either fill out our form: http://www.itmcomputing.com/contact_web.php or give us a holler at 408.732.8500. ********************************************* On a regular basis, in addition to updating anti-virus, firewall and spyware software, you should regularly (once/month or when you hear of an office bug) update your version of MS Office. Go to the following sites to automatically apply all updates to your MS Office. Update your Office 2000, XP, 2003 http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/ This site automatically checks your version of Office and updates you to the current version. You must have your Office CD in the CD drive for these updates to be effectively installed. Updating Office 97/98 (or manually applying updates) http://snipurl.com/536y For older versions of Office - or if you want to selectively apply updates, go to the above listed site. There are also tools such as converters (import documents from other programs) and viewers (for those of you who don't have MS Office products - free of charge). ************************ Hope you enjoyed the ride.... Clyde Lerner, In The Moment Computing Phone: 408.732.8500 E-mail comments/feedback to: http://www.itmcomputing.com/contact_computer.php This newsletter is a service of In The Moment Computing and is Copyright 2005 Clyde Lerner. All worldwide rights reserved. If forwarding, please forward all of e-mail, not any portion therein. To see past issues of This and That Computer Tips newsletter, please visit the web at: http://www.itmcomputing.com/newsletter.php and click on "Archives." Please note: Unless requested, questions pertaining to this newsletter will be answered in a 3-4 week time frame. If you need a faster response, there will be a small consultation fee of $15 per e-mail response. You will receive a reply within 48 hours. "Complete Computer Help (Networks, New Computer Installs, Software Training) for Individuals and Small Businesses" "Designing your Perfect Website, at an Affordable Cost, in a Timely Manner" Eliminate and Destroy unwanted email: http://spamarrest.com/affl?1337207 Send a greeting card through the Internet so recipient gets card in their postal mailbox: www.sendoutcards.com/7197 - let me walk you through how to send a card - it's easy. ©2004 In The Moment (ITM) Computing. All rights reserved.