Re: PDFs and Viruses?

[Dossy Shiobara <dossy -at- panoptic -dot- com>]

It depends on how loosely you defined the term "[computer] virus" --
rather than going into a lengthy semantic rant, I'll say this:

It is possible for a PDF file to contain data that a PDF viewer
application may execute.  That code may be malicious and abuse
weaknesses in the PDF viewer application to perform actions that are
supposed to be restricted or forbidden.

Could that data contain a virus?  Sure.  Are all PDF viewer applications
vulnerable?  Maybe, maybe not.


On 7/13/10 10:14 AM, Keith Hansen wrote:
> Question folks... Can a PDF file contain a virus? 
>
> I've usually heard that it cannot, but I have heard a few people claim otherwise.
>
> Any opinions? Personal experiences with this?
>   

-- 
Dossy Shiobara              | dossy -at- panoptic -dot- com | http://dossy.org/
Panoptic Computer Network   | http://panoptic.com/
  "He realized the fastest way to change is to laugh at your own
    folly -- then you can let go and quickly move on." (p. 70) 

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