Microsoft has recently announced that in order to help improve security, Microsoft 365 is now blocking the download of XLL add-ins for Excel on both Window PCs and Apple Macs. This new feature will be put into effect early 2021, affecting both Office 365 and Office 2019 commercial users.
Office 365 users will receive the new security feature in the Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise and Office 2019 commercial users in Office Professional Plus, Visio Professional Plus, or Project Professional Plus. This feature is already available to Windows Insiders users and will roll out to all users shortly.
This security block is an effort to protect users from malicious add-ins and protect their privacy. Microsoft wants to make sure that their users are only downloading Excel add-ins they can trust, protect their data, and prevent any possible malware from infiltrating their systems.
The blocked add-ins will be part of the click-to-run deployment mechanism of Office 365 and Office 2019. When users attempt to download a blocked XLL add-in, they will receive an error prompting them to contact their system administrator for more information. The administrator will then be able to configure relevant trust settings.
In doing so, Microsoft hopes to keep Office 365 and its users safe and secure. With the increasing dependencies on Office 365, Microsoft wants to make sure its users have the utmost protection. For commercial users, these XLL add-ins can be essential in their day-to-day work.
Overall, Microsoft’s blocking of downloaded Excel XLL add-ins is an effective move in its goal to improve their security and protect Office 365 users. This new feature will help Microsoft protect its users and their data, ensuring that Office 365 remains safe and secure for everyone.
This Cyber News was published on www.bleepingcomputer.com. Publication date: Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:27:02 +0000