Microsoft® Outlook® 2007 Bible

Chapter 20. Managing Security Issues

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Protecting against viruses

• Understanding Outlook's attachment blocking

• Implementing macro security

• Using certificates and digital signatures

• Encrypting and digitally signing messages

Computer security has unfortunately become a very important topic. With the almost universal use of the Internet and email, it's easier than ever for various kinds of malicious software such as viruses to spread. Security issues also include message privacy and verification of people's identities. Because email is the favored means of spreading such malware, Outlook users have to be particularly vigilant. This chapter explains the various tools that Outlook provides to enhance your security.

Protecting Against Viruses

Everyone has heard about viruses, those malicious software elements that infect and harm computer systems. Viruses range from the merely annoying to the truly disastrous, but they all have one thing in common—you do not want them on your system! Because viruses often spread by means of email, Outlook provides you with some defenses against them.

It's important to understand that Outlook itself does not have any anti-virus capabilities. An anti-virus program is specialized to detect and remove viruses and will have a way to automatically download the latest virus definitions so it can stay up to date. Symantec, Zone Alarm, and McAfee are three of the better-known publishers of anti-virus software. Most systems have anti-virus software installed, ...