Office XP Service Pack 3 post install

[Dallas1]

yesterday installed XP Office Service Pack 3 + the updates. Since then,
when replying to an email, a box pops wanting access to my Outlook address
book with no explanation to whom the owner is. I have to assume it is a
virus and respond no. Could it have anything to do with any of the stuff I
installed?

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

The new security update helps you identify when "some application" is
attempting to access your address book. Yes, it certainly could be a
virus or worm trying to blast email to all your contacts.

However, seeing that you imply that this happens each time you attempt
to reply...I'll guess that you're using Word as your Outlook Editor. I
don't use Word as my editor...so I can't be SURE, but I would say that
Word is then the app attempting to access your email app (Outlook) and
Outlook doesn't differentiate between Word being its editor and "some
application" trying to access your list.

Sorry...don't know how to fix that other than to say that if you are
using Word as your editor...uncheck that for now until you can find a
better solution.

Hope this helps...

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

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[Dallas1]

I forgot to mention that it tries to access address book when I write new
message too. Dian, YOU ARE RIGHT! I turned off Word and the access was
removed too.

So, evidently, that access box is something new in Service Pack 3 or one of
the updates. Why don't you pass this tidbit along to the developers that box
needs a tiny MS logo or something so users don't freakout and suspect that it
is a virus.

Thanks for your help. You relived my fears

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

Thank for letting us know. Yeah, you'd THINK that OL would recognize
it's own sibling in comparison to an outsider???? But I guess not.
Personally, I've never recommended using Word as the editor due to
previous problems and issues just like this.

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free MS Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: http://www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: http://www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: http://www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html