Microsoft to release a new Outlook Security patch

[rms2000 () BELLATLANTIC NET (Richard M. Smith)]

Hello,

Business Week is reporting that Microsoft is preparing patches
for Outlook 98 and Outlook 2000 to help prevent Email worms like
LoveBug and Melissa.  The article is available online at:

   http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/may2000/nf00515d.htm

The patches will do 2 things:

   1.  Prevent users from running VBScript and other executable
       programs that come in as Email attachments.

   2.  Prevent programs from automatically scanning the Outlook
       address book for Email addresses.

This is a giant step forward IMHO for securing Outlook.  I am
extremely happy to see Microsoft making these changes.  The next
major step is to get JavaScript, Java, and ActiveX turned off
by default in Outlook and Outlook Express.

According to the article, the patch files will be available for
download on the week of May 22.

Similar security fixes are also being worked on for Outlook
Express.

Richard

==========================================
Richard M. Smith
Internet consultant
Email: rms2000 () bellatlantic net
http://www.tiac.net/users/smiths
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