asked on Beside running Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam, what else can we do assure the a PowerPoint file is Safe
Hi, we have various power-point files sent to us and wanted to know if there is no malicious code (maybe like VBA) within them. We have run anti-virus and anti-spam and all ok. Any other thing we can do to assure the PPT is safe?
Microsoft PowerPointAnti-Virus AppsVulnerabilities
Last Comment
jana
just have a real-time decent antivirus software running and updated is enough to keep your system safe.
I generally agree with the above.
The MOST important tool in your arsenal is Common Sense. Do not do silly things; do not go to dodgy websites; never open emails from strangers; and, oddly enough, beware your naive friends.
The MOST important tool in your arsenal is Common Sense. Do not do silly things; do not go to dodgy websites; never open emails from strangers; and, oddly enough, beware your naive friends.
if you don't know where the file is from - dump them
instead of opening the files directly from your email, you can save the files to a temporary folder and scan them with your antivirus app
if everything checks out, you should be OK
instead of opening the files directly from your email, you can save the files to a temporary folder and scan them with your antivirus app
if everything checks out, you should be OK
ASKER
Prior placing the question, that is what we did: download and scanned them. The results where ok, no infection.
However, since Word, Outlook, Excel one can create VBA code to execute almost anything, we wanted to know if the PPT files received has any VBA code?
Hope we are expressing what we want to do.
However, since Word, Outlook, Excel one can create VBA code to execute almost anything, we wanted to know if the PPT files received has any VBA code?
Hope we are expressing what we want to do.
A top grade antivirus product should determine this without issue.
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you can also read them in Protected View mode.
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/What-is-Protected-View-d6f09ac7-e6b9-4495-8e43-2bbcdbcb6653
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/What-is-Protected-View-d6f09ac7-e6b9-4495-8e43-2bbcdbcb6653
ASKER
Thanx! That was we needed!
What if the Powerpoint has embedded links? You would need a good inbound email filter to unpack and scan recipient URL destinations or a good web filter / UTM system also.
Having chatted with Echo and for completeness in case any other user reads the above answer ID: 42043785, it is actually possible to craft a non-addin PowerPoint macro-enabled file (.pptm, .potm, .ppsm) that will automatically run embedded VBA code when the file opens, IF the user's security settings in PowerPoint permit it. I use this technique legitimately for some clients, for example when content needs to be updated automatically when the file is opened. But of course, it could be used maliciously too. That's why I recommend not running code that is not digitally signed. If it's good enough code to justify sending to users and expecting them to execute it, it's not really good enough to not sign it.
ASKER
Will open another related question for another part we want to understand.