Summary: One version of the attack was triggered by a rigged Microsoft Word .doc that probably included some social engineering and required the target to open the booby-trapped file.

The mysterious Duqu malware attack exploited a zero-day vulnerability in the Windows kernel, according to security researchers tracking the Stuxnet-like cyber-surveillance Trojan.

Windows kernel ‘zero-day’ found in Duqu attack | ZDNet

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By Gregg Keizer
June 30, 2011 02:07 PM ET

Computerworld – Microsoft yesterday clarified the advice it gave users whose Windows PCs are infected with a new, sophisticated rootkit that buries itself on the hard drive’s boot sector.

Microsoft clarifies MBR rootkit removal advice – Computerworld

There are other 3rd party programs out there such as TrueCrypt (free) and PGP Whole Disk Encryption (fee), that will do the same thing. Some will not have a TPM (Trusted Protection Module) chip support (Meaning you take the hard drive out of the laptop and put it in another, and no one can access your data). A thief will more than likely not want to take your laptop out of your bag, take the hard drive out and put it back in. They will take the whole thing.

Is BitLocker unbreakable? Nope! Students at Princeton figured it out! Visit their website to see a video demo of how you do it: http://citp.princeton.edu/memory/

You can also read more in their FAQ: http://citp.princeton.edu/memory/faq/ Please note the third FAQ question for the BEST WAY to avoid foil the thieves, as it is time sensitive for them.

What is BitLocker?BitLocker is a program the encrypts your entire hard drive to protect your data from thieves. It can use a TPM chip or a USB Drive as an added layer of protection. To read more: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/bitlocker.mspx