Document Shell Code Attacks Loom Large

[HardOCP News]

IBM's Internet Security Systems division says that targeted attacks that take advantage of vulnerabilities in popular document file formats are becoming increasingly popular. As always, take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and be careful what you click on.

Experts working with the ISS X-Force group said that they've seen a rapid increase in the volume and variety of shell-code execution attacks leveled at their customers over the last 12 months. Among the types of files most frequently assailed in the attacks are the most common types of documents passed around many organizations today, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats, as well as Adobe PDF files.