RichardHarlos.com

Yes, it’s another virus exploiting a Microsoft software product. This time the vulnerable piece of software is Microsoft’s slide-presentation application known as PowerPoint, and the versions affected are PowerPoint 2000, 2002 and 2003.

The virus is embedded in a PowerPoint presentation attached to an email. If you open an infected PowerPoint attachment, the attachment will install a keylogger on your system; do not open the PowerPoint attachment!

What, you may be wondering, is a keylogger? I’m glad you asked :)

A keylogger is a small program that is always active and does almost nothing but keep track of every key you press on your computer’s keyboard. It then logs (captures, copies, records) that key to a file, hence “key” “logger”. The author(s) of the keylogger program can then get this file from your computer and start to “mine” it for usernames, passwords, credit-card numbers, etc.

How can they get into your computer without permission? Well, that’s also part of the virus: it opens up a way into your computer that allows the authors to get inside whenever you’re computer is turned on and connected to the Internet. This is often referred to as “opening a back-door” and it may allow them to retrieve the keylogger file. It can also be a way for the virus authors to install other viruses or hidden programs.

Just remember this: keyloggers and back-doors are BAD NEWS!

That’s the essence of the problem. For additional details, click through to the article that made me aware of the problem: Poisoned PowerPoint attachs users, BBC News, 20 July 2006.