Question How can microsoft office put security at risk

[MJS WARLORD]

Ok so first things first i fully understand that because of the type of question i am asking the moderators may delete this post.

I had been using microsoft office home and student 2007 for 12 years and somebody said i was putting my security at risk.
I went out and got the 2019 version and have read in computeractive magazine they microsoft are going to stop support and security updates for this version.

I get that you can get a virus from a download , an email or a website but how can anyone hit you through word.

 

[kanewolf]

Ok so first things first i fully understand that because of the type of question i am asking the moderators may delete this post.

I had been using microsoft office home and student 2007 for 12 years and somebody said i was putting my security at risk.
I went out and got the 2019 version and have read in computeractive magazine they microsoft are going to stop support and security updates for this version.

I get that you can get a virus from a download , an email or a website but how can anyone hit you through word.

Macros. They are virtual basic.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok so first things first i fully understand that because of the type of question i am asking the moderators may delete this post.

I had been using microsoft office home and student 2007 for 12 years and somebody said i was putting my security at risk.
I went out and got the 2019 version and have read in computeractive magazine they microsoft are going to stop support and security updates for this version.

I get that you can get a virus from a download , an email or a website but how can anyone hit you through word.

Someone sends you a Word doc, with embedded VBA code (Macro)
Said code can do lots and lost of things.

This 'someone' might even be a trusted friend or coworker.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Macro viruses are a thing. The last 4 (at the very least) versions of Office have macros disabled by default to prevent such breaches.

 

[MJS WARLORD]

Thanks for the feedback in 22 years i have never had anyone send me a word doc but if somebody did i would treat it like an unknown email and delete.

When we get suspect emails with dodgy subject titles or from somebody we dont know we delete them.
I once got an email from somebody i know and it had a strange subject line so i phoned her and she said i have not sent you anything.

 

[MJS WARLORD]

UPDATE .... I just checked my word settings and macros are set to disable all macros with notification.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for the feedback in 22 years i have never had anyone send me a word doc but if somebody did i would treat it like an unknown email and delete.

When we get suspect emails with dodgy subject titles or from somebody we dont know we delete them.
I once got an email from somebody i know and it had a strange subject line so i phoned her and she said i have not sent you anything.

And if you were at work, and your coworker Bob sent you a Word doc....you'd be FAR more likely to open it.
This is how ransomware is still a thing.