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The word Macro is a prefix meaning Large or inclusive. And lately the word applies as in the last 2 ½ years the problem seem to be exploding. Currently there are o well over a 1000 known macro viruses with more every day. We at help city at help city will try to give you the information you need in a format that is easy to understand.

Introduction to Macro Viruses

Programs like Word and Excel use Macros to carry out actions and/or commands later. Many times Macro's are used to automate tasks that the user specifies. Things like multiple changes of font, style, size, and color to selected text or changing printer on your network. All these things are fine and make life easier however some users record macros that are harmful (or sometime just plane unwanted.) Well okay so they goofed but then the real problem starts they send the file to someone else to use (with Macros inside.) When the file the macro usually run the commands encoded within it.

Most Viruses are picky and will only attack one operating system, But macros are not they will affect both Microsoft Word and Excel packages on multiple systems. As long as your program doesn't support macro viruses you should be safe

Macro viruses are application specific, they need Microsoft Word and Excel program(s) to activate any attached macro. So if you were to open the file in a program like Word Perfect only the text (some times the graphics) will be imported to the Word Perfect file. Macros are not supported but other programs so they become inactive

Most macro viruses just cause annoying problems, like disabling certain parts of an open or save dialog box. But some do attempt to do serious damage to a computer s operating system. Some users may not use Word or Excel because of macro virus but business world relies on powerful features of Office programs. And other programs lack these features.

Truth be known, macros are a very powerful, time save (thus money saving) item when used correctly. How common are Macro Viruses? Currently, floppy disk boot infectors (Master Boot Record) are the leading type of virus problem. However macro virus as the leading virus found in the wild. Macros viruses are easy to create and pass so it wont be to long before the primary type of virus infection for PC's and Mac's.

Network users most likely to receive files with macros attached. Schools and corporate being the worst so for but remember the Internet is a network to If you open up the attached file in Word or Excel, you may can infected with the macro virus. Floppy disk can also transfer the macros. Be sure to scan all new files, even commercial products purchased from a store, for macro viruses before actually opening the file.

How Macro Viruses are Activated

When a file is opened in Word or Excel attached macros can be activated. Sometimes harmful macro instructions may not be activated every time. Some times the systems that the macros was transferred to was mot configured right to run the macro virus, so if the user pass it on, neither user is a aware of the macro but it is still there. If you open up a macro infected file in a program that doesn't support macros you should have nothing to worry about. But always scan for viruses (even if the file came from Mom.)

How to Protect Your Computer

There are several way to deal with macro viruses. Some delete all macros from their computer and don't allow for any macro containing files to be run on their system. Many set their macro files to read only. Others will use software to detect, scan, or screen out macros when files are opened with Word or Excel. Finally, some scan all files for macro infections before even opening them. I think the latter is the most important. A combination of these techniques is best. Make sure you read up on how to make sure you use your AntiVirus software correctly.

As a rule of thumb always make sure you: Save your work often and make frequent backups of important work. Have AntiVirus software, for system and macro viruses, running in memory at all times. Scan all new files and attachments BEFORE opening them

 

 

Using Third-party Software

Boot-sector Viruses

What is a virus?

Viruses in the wild