Blogger Hack Endangers Sensitive Word Docs?
By: Steve Rubel
Here's a potential ticking time bomb. To the Microsoft Office team, you have what could be a sizable PR problem on your hands.
It's unclear though what this does, but I would get the Wagged Rapid Response team in motion. A blogger has posted details on what to me reads as how to unlock and read password-protected Word document. This might put millions of sensitive corporate and government documents immediately at risk. If this hole is indeed a flaw in Word, Mr. Softee may have a crisis on their hands.
Now, it's not clear if this refers to read-protected files or just edit-protected and I haven't verified it because I don't have a hex editor. Still, this seems like more than just a handy Word tip, but a potential hole. Regardless, it needs to be addressed by Redmond before it spins out.
(NOTE: This post has been updated to imply this is a developing story. It's unclear what this hack exactly does - unlock the read function, the editing function - as commenters on the post have noted)
About The Author
Steve Rubel is a PR strategist with nearly 16 years of public relations, marketing, journalism and communications experience. He currently serves as a Senior Vice President with Edelman, the largest independent global PR firm.He authors the Micro Persuasion weblog, which tracks how blogs and participatory journalism are changing the public relations practice.






