Dear All,Due to the numerous viruses and worms (especially Melissa and ILoveYou) that utilises e-mail to spread, Microsoft had decided to introduce a major security update on their MS Outlook 98/2000. The Security Update would be available soon. For more details go to http://officeupdate.microsoft.com
The security update protects you from e-mail viruses in three ways:
When the Outlook Email Security Update is installed, some functionality in Outlook and other Office applications may be impaired or affected. This list is not comprehensive as the update is currently in development. Updated information will be posted when the update is available. Following are examples of functionality that may be impaired:
- E-mail attachment security prevents users from accessing several file types when sent as e-mail attachments. Impacted file types include executables, batch files and other file types that contain executable code often used by malicious hackers to spread viruses.
- Object Model Guard prompts customers with a dialog box when an external program attempts to access their Outlook address book or send e-mail on their behalf, which is how insidious viruses such as ILOVEYOU spread.
- Heightened Outlook default security settings increase the default Internet security zone setting within Outlook from "Internet" to "restricted sites."
This Security Update would tighten the security BUT would affect some of the application or software written by other Independent Software Vendors (ISV).
- In some cases, the update fails to install. Microsoft is investigating, and these cases should be addressed before the ship version of the update is released.
- There is no remove/uninstall utility for this update. To remove it, you must remove and then reinstall Office.
- Net Folders do not always work with the update. This is under investigation.
- In Word, routing documents through e-mail does not work.
- Mail merge fails if used from within Word. If you start mail merge from within Outlook, mail merge works.
- Palm, Windows CE devices (PDAs) have synchronization issues. These include: Syncing with the Inbox displays a prompt and then fails. This is under investigation. Synching with contacts/address book also displays a prompt, but should work.
- When working with Team Folders, many prompts are displayed when mail is sent on your behalf. If you work through the prompts, the feature works.
- When using the Small Business Customer Manager (SBCM) of the Microsoft Office Small Business Tools, many prompts are displayed; however, the Customer Manager still works.
- When sending PowerPoint presentations through e-mail, a warning is displayed since all presentations mailed as attachments include a Script.js file (.JS files are included in the restricted file types list).
- When accessing the Address Book from within Word or Microsoft Excel, the prompt indicating a program is trying to access your Address Book is displayed.
- In Microsoft Access, the Send.Mail macro displays the programmatic access prompt.
- Due to the programmatic access limits of the update, the SQL SendMail feature is affected and restricted.
For now, hope that all your computers are having the current Virus Definition files (NAV - 19 May 2000, Vet - 361). Other than just having the latest update with Auto-Protect on, it is always advisable to Activate the Anti-Virus Program to do a complete scan of all files on each individual computer at least once a week. If not, schedule it to run during lunch hour or when you are going to be away from your computer.
Prevention is better than Cure. Backup all critical and important files regularly (at least 3 cycle of backup, for example Set A, B and C).
Virus Alert,
ISD, TNB
