Since the introduction of open source office applications a few years ago, people have been making the switch from Microsoft Office. There are a number of reasons why people would go the open source route and one is the cost. Open source office applications lie OppenOffice and LibreOffice are free to download and use unlike MS Office where you need to obtain a license to use the software. Since it is free to use, some businesses have made the switch over to these applications. However, turning over to open source can have its drawbacks, which is why businesses must have reliable managed IT services to secure themselves against vulnerabilities.
Recently, Austrian researcher Alex Infuhr found a loophole that’s present in both the said applications. Attackers could infiltrate the code of both OpenOffice and LibreOffice through a method called path transversal, which moves code from one directory to another. This leaves users of the said open source application vulnerable to attacks. What’s even more alarming is that the only interaction with the user hackers need to accomplish was a single hover over an invisible link, which is easily triggered by an unsuspecting user.
LibreOffice has been quick to address the issue and has already been patched. OppenOffice on the other hand, has still yet to release an update to prevent users from possible vulnerabilities. This gives more reason to businesses who use open source software to hire credible managed IT services Myrtle Beach from reputable providers.
The bottom line here is that no software is perfect. Computer code can be broken into and it’s just a matter of time before some random hacker makes a malicious attempt to reverse engineer code and inflict damage to users and businesses alike. That is why if you’re running a business, it is good practice to hire reputable IT services as a first line of defense.
Call SpartanTec, Inc. today to protect your business from hackers and attacks over the internet.
