Stay Safe from Infected OneNote Documents: Protect Your System and Personal Information Now!

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 OneNote is a popular note-taking application developed by Microsoft that allows users to create, organize, and share digital notebooks. It is widely used by individuals, businesses, and educational institutions around the world. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in infected OneNote documents, which can cause serious security risks to users. In this blog post, we will discuss the increase in infected OneNote documents and what you can do to stay safe.

What are infected OneNote documents?

Infected OneNote documents are files that contain malware or viruses that can harm your computer or steal your personal information. These files can be shared through various channels, including email, file-sharing platforms, or even through OneNote itself. Once the file is opened, the malware can spread throughout the system and cause significant damage.

Why is there an increase in infected OneNote documents?

The increase in infected OneNote documents is due to the rise in cybercrime and the increasing popularity of OneNote. Cybercriminals often use popular applications like OneNote to spread malware and viruses, as it is easier to trick people into opening these files. Additionally, OneNote is often used to store sensitive information, making it an attractive target for hackers.  AVG Threat Labs report a 74% increase in the number of attacks since January.

What can you do to stay safe?

There are several steps you can take to stay safe from infected OneNote documents:

  • OneNote files usually end in ".one" or ".onepkg"
  • Keep your antivirus software up-to-date: Make sure you have a reliable antivirus software installed on your computer and keep it updated regularly. This will help protect your system from malware and viruses.
  • Be cautious of unknown sources: Be wary of opening OneNote documents from unknown sources, especially if they are sent via email or file-sharing platforms.
  • Enable OneNote security features: OneNote has several security features that you can enable to protect your notebooks. For example, you can password-protect sections or entire notebooks to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Scan files before opening: Before opening any OneNote document, make sure to scan it with your antivirus software to detect any potential threats.
  • Update OneNote regularly: Make sure you are running the latest version of OneNote, as newer versions often include security patches and updates.

What to do if you open an infected file?

  • DON'T follow the instructions inside!  This is what can trigger the malware hidden inside that will affect your system.
  • Run a full virus scan and malware removal scan on your device.  Microsoft provides a free downloadable malware removal tool that you can use.

An infected OneNote file.  Image source AVG Threat Labs


The rise in infected OneNote documents is a serious security threat that should not be taken lightly. By following the steps above, you can protect yourself from potential malware and viruses and keep your personal information safe.

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