Security woes dog Microsoft

Microsoft Office, as well as other pieces of enterprise software, has security holes that are causing problems for Internet users, according to the SANS Institute's annual security report. According to the report, one of the largest problems is that developers aren't using secure enough coding techniques to create Web applications. And that gives hackers a chance to tap into reams of databases with information connected to them.

Overall, the report spells bad news for Microsoft as the company struggles to deal with problems connected to Vista and other applications. The report pointed to vulnerabilities in the applications suite which jumped nearly 300 percent between 2006 and 2007. New flaws in Excel allow hackers to construct documents that can infect a computer with malicious software if they are opened. The report also said that there is a rise in spyware--programs that surreptitiously collect data on a user's computer. The number of websites rigged with spyware increased 187 percent this year.

If you think you have escaped the hackers' attacks, think again. The report said hackers are getting smart about attaching malicious documents to email with an enticing name. To add to the bait, the hacker makes it look like it is coming from someone the recipient knows. If this is a problem for you, remember that training is the best defense against an offense.

For more on the SANS security report:
- See this Washington Post article