Hi,
User in company used one excel file. She closed it and wanted to open some minutes later, but was shocked, that it asks for password to open it. She didn't set any security to this file, she even don't know ho to do that.
Any info, how this could happen? Is it possible, that excel itself set password protection to file?
p.s. She is using Office 365.
Thanks.
No.
Please post a screenshot of Excel asking for a password for that file.
- The cause must be either that the user set the password or there is a very, very strange form of file corruption taking place.
- I have heard of scripts for scanning computers to list password-protected files. Perhaps running one of these would confirm / reject the notion that a real password has been set???
- Is there any VBA in that Excel file? Any reference to .Protect in it [such as ActiveWorkbook.Protect]?
Denis
Last edited by Try3; 04 Feb 2020 at 12:37.
It is standard password protected excel view.
Regarding user, don't think she is able to set password. And this can't be done accidentally, as it asks for password, than password confirmation.
Very strange, luckily this file isn't too important.
I have found a PowerShell script for scannning your documents to find out if any other files have been affected.
Find a password-protected Office file - SpiceWorks forum
I have not yet tested this script.
I cannot get this script to operate properly. It does not detect my test files.
Denis
Last edited by Try3; 04 Feb 2020 at 11:42.
Hi sygnus21,
Yes that's what I think too, it can't be done accidentally and there are no shortcut keys to set password.
Hope it was some strange bug and there won't be more cases like this.
I hope your backup method retains previous copies as well as last modified ones in case you have an employee with a grudge or a hacker who intends to hold you to ransom.
Denis
Important files should be stored to file server, where files are backup'ed. Local stored files are not protected.
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