Hi,
I guess you are right. I also have the information that Office XP
Uses RC4 Level Advanced Encryption. The Information on the Encryption in
Word can be found in the Microsoft KB article 822924
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822924
SUMMARY
Microsoft Office products include features that enable specific
collaboration scenarios and features that are designed to help make your
documents and files more secure. Features that enable collaboration
scenarios function correctly in collaboration environments that do not
include users who have malicious intent.
When you use a feature that is designed to enable a collaboration scenario
but is not designed to help make your document or file more secure, for
example you use the Password to Modify feature, the feature is functioning
as intended even when a user with malicious intent bypasses the feature.
This behavior occurs because the feature was never designed to help protect
your document or file from a user with malicious intent.
The Security tab of the Options dialog box in Office contains both types of
features. Not all features that are found on the Security tab are designed
to help make your documents and files more secure.
The following are examples of Office features that enable specific
collaboration scenarios:
Password to Modify
When you do not want others to modify the formatting of your Microsoft Word
document, Microsoft Excel document, or Microsoft PowerPoint presentation,
you may choose to use the Password to Modify feature.
Note When you use the Password to Modify feature, you only set a guideline
for others to follow. When you are using the Password to Modify feature,
someone else may be able to obtain your password.
Hidden Cells and Locked Cells
When you have a cell that you do not want others to see or to modify, you
can hide or lock the cell. You can use hidden or locked cells in Excel to
present data more clearly. You may choose to hide a cell that contains a
formula when you think it will confuse others, or you may choose to lock a
cell when you do not want others to modify the cell.
Note When you hide or lock a cell, you only set a guideline for others to
follow. Hidden cells and locked cells are not designed to allow your files
to be more secure. Hidden cells can be unhidden by other users.
The following are examples of Office features that are designed to help
make your documents and files more secure:
Password to Open (Using RC4 Level Advanced Encryption )
You can use a strong password with the Password to Open feature in
conjunction with RC4 level advanced encryption to require a user to enter a
password to open an Office file.
Note The Password to Open feature uses advanced encryption. Encryption is a
standard method of securing the content of a file. There are several
encryption methods that are available for use with Word files, Excel files,
or PowerPoint presentations. Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 allows for
encryption also, but also implements it by using different methods.
For more information about encryption, visit the following Microsoft Web
site:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/2003/seven/ch23/SecA06.htm#sub_7
For more information about strong passwords, see the “Information About
Strong Passwords” section of this article.
Digitally Signed VBA Macro Projects
You can use digitally signed Microsoft Office Visual Basic for Applications
(VBA) macro projects. When you add a digital signature to a VBA macro
project, you are supplying a verifiable signature that can vouch for the
authenticity and the integrity of the VBA macro project.
For more information about digitally signed macros, visit the following
Microsoft Web site:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnoxpta/htm
l/odc_dsvba.asp
Please take a look at the Microsoft KB article.
Thank you...
Raghu...
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
