What Is Macro Virus?

It's no surprise that macro viruses are the most annoying. How annoying? Very! They're like the worst possible roommates: they're always around and never do the dishes. Macro viruses replace macros, enabling programs to work and instigating designated groups of actions and commands. When a virus returns these actions and controls, this can cause significant harm to your computer. Macros are typically used to format documents or create graphs in Excel or Word. Still, they also have another critical function: making sure that when you click "Open" in Microsoft Word, it opens up a document instead of just opening up a blank page with nothing on it. Macros are like the ninja stars of the office world. They're small, deadly, and can infect documents so quickly that you'll ask yourself, "How did I get here?" Macro viruses are built into sophisticated applications like word processors to run programs so that they can be launched automatically. As macros replace prompt commands, word processors are especially vulnerable to these viruses. The language is built into the macros to hijack the authorities, including necessary actions like opening up a document. Thus, through the simple act of opening a document, a macro virus can be launched. Macro viruses may be spread through email attachments, modems and on the Internet, networks, and disks. The macro virus is a nasty little creature. This monster, which can be found in your computer's documents, is typically spread by opening a document that contains the macro virus. It then extends to other documents within the same computer and can reach other computers through shared documents. Unfortunately, not all macro viruses can be detected by anti-virus software. However, some excellent products are available that can be used to catch them.