Cerca nel blog

2005/04/01

BBC: ancora pericoli per i file Microsoft Word “pettegoli”

BBC NEWS | Technology | Warning over Microsoft Word files: "...Writing a Microsoft Word document can be a dangerous business, according to document security firm Workshare. Up to 75% of all business documents contained sensitive information most firms would not want exposed, a survey by the firm revealed...90% of those companies questioned had no idea that confidential information was leaking.

...Sensitive information inadvertently leaked in documents includes confidential contractual terms, competitive information that rivals would be keen to see and special deals for key customers...The problem is particularly acute with documents prepared using Microsoft Word because of the way it maintains hidden records about editing changes.

...Poor control over the editing and amending process can mean that information that should be expunged survives final edits. Microsoft, however, does provide an add-on tool for Windows PCs that fixes the problem. 'The Remove Hidden Data add-in is a tool that you can use to remove personal or hidden data that might not be immediately apparent when you view the document in your Microsoft Office application,' says the instructions on Microsoft's website... A tool for Apple machines running Word is not available.... on average, 31% of documents contained legally sensitive information but in many firms up to three-quarters fell in to the high risk category... Problems with documents could mean trouble for firms as regulatory bodies step up scrutiny and compliance laws start to bite, said Mr Pearson."