Office2003/XP Remove Hidden Data tool Available

Published 01 March 04 02:58 AM

I've been meaning to write about this for ages. So here goes, better late than never!

Many people, quite rightly, are concerned that sensitive or private data can reside in the metadata of documents created by productivity applications, such as Microsoft Office. To alleviate such potential risks, the Office team created a tool called the Remove Hidden Data tool, which, you guessed it, removes hidden data from documents!

Check it out at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=144E54ED-D43E-42CA-BC7B-5446D34E5360&displaylang=en.

by michael_HOWARD
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Comments

# Yannick Smits said on March 1, 2004 3:29 AM:
I thought a way to simulate this was to use the "Save As" option, which makes the file much smaller (and removes the hidden data?). Is this tool more powerful?
# Mike Kolitz said on March 1, 2004 3:15 PM:
Michael, I'm curious about how this would effect the meta-data collection in WinFS on Longhorn. Since WinFS uses (or rather, will use) meta-data for it's information storage, would this tool hinder WinFS's ability to catalogue Office documents, or wouldn't WinFS even look at the information being removed?
# SecureCoder by Anil John said on March 2, 2004 11:12 AM:
# Ferris Beuller said on March 5, 2004 4:47 PM:
I know of 2 cases which this caused problems (the recent SCO internal memo and the UK Gov). Any others?
# Shelly's WebLog said on May 25, 2004 4:32 AM:
Nice Tool, makes life simple :)
# JETFTGY said on July 1, 2004 6:09 AM:
would this tool hinder WinFS's ability to catalogue Office documents, or wouldn't WinFS even look at the information
# steve matlock said on July 11, 2004 6:54 PM:
"Save As" may reduce the file size for Word and PowerPoint. But RHD does more than reduce file size - it also removes the traces of data that can inadvertently reveal business processes or cause embarrassment.
# adina said on July 15, 2004 12:46 PM:
adina sabag
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