Microsoft Upgrades Outlook Security

As part of its Office XP launch May 31, Microsoft is tightening security in its near-ubiquitous E-mail software, Outlook. Outlook 2002, part of Office XP, will also be bundled with the Service Pack 1 release of Microsoft's Exchange 2000 server, expected this summer.

It's been a scary year for Outlook users. Starting with last year's Love Bug Visual Basic script worm, Outlook has been relentlessly targeted by copycat infections, including the recent Mawanella and Homepage worms.

Microsoft says it's been working diligently to secure the besieged program. Mark Croft, Windows XP lead product manager, says one of the most important new features is the software's ability to keep programs from automatically running from within E-mail messages or attachments. That should plug one of the most common ways virus writers spread malicious software, or malware.

Network administrators can also make security-vs.-functionality choices. For instance, administrators can choose to always block certain types of applications, such as the notorious Visual Basic scripts. Scott Culp, program manager at Microsoft's security-response center, says Outlook also sports operating-system-level security improvements. According to Culp, XP also lets administrators make sure only digitally signed applications can run. "You can prove with great assurance that the program the person is trying to run has not been modified in any way and is from a trusted party," he says.

"The fact that Microsoft is trying to make Outlook more secure can only be a good thing," says Forrester Research analyst Frank Prince. "But administrators will have to make difficult choices between security and functionality."

Gartner analyst John Pescatore says, "This means every 'good' executable will have to be inspected and digitally signed by IT--a huge workload. Or IT will have to create a list of sources of trusted executable, which isn't easy."

Pescatore sees two problems with this approach. Any software from a company deemed trustworthy would be accepted without question. And large companies could have proportionately large lists of "approved" companies. The more "approved" companies, the lower the security.

If companies find those approaches too onerous, then XP defaults to asking recipients if they want the application they selected to "talk" to Outlook. "This is a great way to just train users to always hit the 'yes' button. Not a good security practice," Pescatore says.

Overall, analysts say Microsoft is moving in the right direction. Says Pescatore, "On a scale of one to 10, the security provided by Windows 95/2000 against viruses is a zero. The XP features are about a six--dramatic improvement but not good enough to mean antiviral software isn't required at the desktop."