I just received some literature from Bitform Technology that includes a nice list of some of the attributes/elements to be aware of with respect to unstructured data, that data primarily in Microsoft Office applications.
Here is Bitform’s list of elements:
- Audio & Video Paths
- Author History
- Comments
- Content Properties
- Custom Properties
- Database Queries
- Embedded Objects
- Fast Save Data
- Hidden Slides
- Hidden Text
- Linked Objects
- Macros and Code
- Office GUID Property
- Outlook Properties
- Presentation Notes
- Printer Information
- Routing Slip Details
- Scenario Comments
- Sensitive Hyperlinks
- Sensitive INCLUDE fields
- Statistic Properties
- Summary Properties
- Template Name
- Tracked Changes
- User Names
- Versions
- Weak Protections
As you can see, there aren’t any surprises here, per se, as much as it is worthwhile to actively evaluate the contents of a PowerPoint slide deck, for example, and to remember that there is a lot more hidden information in these files these days.
When you see notable examples of seemingly redacted information actually not being redacted (like using Adobe tools to black-out text that can be reversed on confidential information), this is the type of problem that may exist in your environment as well.