-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Robert Sollars
Sent: June-28-19 6:41 AM
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]; 'Jobs for the Blind' <[log in to unmask]>;
[log in to unmask]
Subject: [jobs-blind-chat] Security alert gaining groundagain

Most of you know these facts,but apparently many of us have forgotten
thelessons of just a few years ago. I got this e-mail from komando.com, a
trusted source, reminding us of the risk from downloads. Take care, Robert:

Hackers are using Microsoft Word to infiltrate computers

By James Gelinas, Komando.com   

 

There are so many scams lurking in emails these days that it can feel
dangerous to even check your messages. Between phishing links, viruses, and
spam, the flow of junk hitting your inbox can seem endless at times.
Fortunately, if you're savvy enough, you can avoid any issues by ignoring
these fake emails and moving on with your life.

Not everyone is as aware of the dangers of email scams, however. Some of us
depend on our emails for business and rely on sending files back and forth
in order to function. That's exactly what hackers are looking for, though,
and why they put so much effort into targeting your emails with malicious
attachments that can compromise your entire computer.

Recently, these hackers and scammers have been trying a different angle to
get into your system. They're using modified Microsoft Word documents that
unleash havoc upon your hard drive when opened -- and worst of all, tons of
people online are still falling for it! If you use Word for work, we've got
the information you need to avoid this scam and keep your computer safe from
harm.

 

How can a bad Word file harm my computer?

 

We've covered email and phishing schemes numerous times here on Komando.com.
They're extremely pervasive -- in no small part due to how often people open
their emails without thinking. That's why hackers still employ the tactic
for a huge amount of operations, making it one of the most popular methods
to break into a target's computer.

 

Recently, analysts at cybersecurity firm Watchguard noticed an uptick in a
very particular kind of intrusion strategy. In a recent report, they
outlined a sharp increase in malicious Microsoft Word documents being
harnessed by hackers for email scams -- with the tactic ranking number one
in the top five most widespread malware detections.

 

The hack is able to function due to a security exploit found in Microsoft
Word itself. This flaw, dubbed "CVE-2017-11882" isn't anything new.

 

In fact, Microsoft has already released patches to address the issue.
However, not everyone has installed the most recent Office updates. Without
the patch, simply opening the file is enough to give hackers access to your
entire computer.

 

The emails containing the file can also be deceptive. If you use Microsoft
Word for work, you probably already send and receive lots of document files
without even realizing it. Opening the wrong one without thinking can spell
disaster for your computer -- and potentially any computer on your network.
This makes the rise in hackers using the Word exploit all the more alarming.

 

How can I protect myself from this Microsoft Word scam?

 

Keeping your system safe is actually not too difficult, in this case. To
protect yourself, it's only a matter of being extremely selective about what
attachments you choose to open when checking your email.

 

These days, simply opening files without thinking is one of the most
dangerous things you can do online. Taking time to check the sender,
content, and filetype of the email and its attachments can potentially spare
you hours of pain, and save you hundreds of dollars.

 

If you use Word for work, make sure to open attachments only if you're
expecting them from someone. If you're not sure whether you should open an
attachment, simply speak with the sender and ask them to explain what they
sent you and why.

 

In the past, hackers have hijacked the email accounts of user's they've
tricked in order to further spread malware. By asking the sender about the
file they've sent, this helps prevent any confusion or ambiguity on your
part.

 

More importantly, try not to open emails from senders you don't recognize
unless absolutely necessary. Even in the case of work, emails are usually
exchanged by familiar parties. If it's from a stranger, odds are, there
might be something fishy inside.

 

Until we come up with something better than email for business, work, and
personal correspondence, hackers will be taking advantage of the medium. If
you're careful with your messages, they won't even get the chance to do any
harm. That fact alone is worth all the caution in the world.

 

_._,_._,_
________________________________

Groups.io Links:

You receive all messages sent to this group. 

View/Reply Online (#633) <https://groups.io/g/jobs-blind-chat/message/633>
| Reply To Group
<mailto:[log in to unmask]:%20%5Bjobs-blind-chat%5D%20Secu
rity%20alert%20gaining%20groundagain>  | Reply To Sender
<mailto:[log in to unmask]:%20Re:%20%5Bjobs-blind-chat
%5D%20Security%20alert%20gaining%20groundagain>  | Mute This Topic
<https://groups.io/mt/32240876/1607068>  | New Topic
<https://groups.io/g/jobs-blind-chat/post> 

Your Subscription <https://groups.io/g/jobs-blind-chat/editsub/1607068>  |
Contact Group Owner <mailto:[log in to unmask]>  | Unsubscribe
<https://groups.io/g/jobs-blind-chat/leave/3873843/609594938/xyzzy>
[[log in to unmask]]

_._,_._,_


    VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
Archived on the World Wide Web at
    http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
    Signoff: [log in to unmask]
    Subscribe: [log in to unmask]