What programs are most affected by a macro virus?

What programs are most affected by a macro virus?

Microsoft Word documents are common carriers of macro viruses. Macro viruses usually infect Microsoft Office apps like Word and Excel. Because of macro viruses, programs like Microsoft Word and Excel now keep macros disabled by default.

What is an example of macro virus?

An example of a macro virus is the Melissa virus which appeared in March 1999. When a user opens a Microsoft Word document containing the Melissa virus, their computer becomes infected. The virus then sends itself by email to the first 50 people in the person’s address book.

What are the two examples of macro virus?

A macro virus is defined as “a computer virus written in the same macro language used for software applications, such as word processors.” Microsoft Word and Excel are two examples of applications that feature powerful macro languages, which are embedded in documents so they run automatically when the documents are …

How do you detect a macro virus?

Here are a few signs that indicate your computer may have a macro virus infection:

  1. Your computer runs slower than normal.
  2. Your computer asks you for a password on a file that normally doesn’t require one.
  3. Your computer saves documents as “template” files.
  4. Your computer displays strange error messages.

What can a macro virus do?

What do macro viruses do? Macro viruses are programmed to perform lots of tasks on computers. For example, a macro virus can create new files, corrupt data, move text, send files, format hard drives, and insert pictures.

What kind of damage can a macro virus do?

Macro viruses modify registries, use email to forward copies of itself to others, look for passwords, copy documents, and infect other programs. Macro viruses can do a lot of different damage in a lot of different ways. Microsoft Word and Excel Macros

How are macros used to spread malicious software?

Some applications, such as Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint allow macro programs to be embedded in documents such that the macros are run automatically when the document is opened, and this provides a distinct mechanism by which malicious computer instructions can spread.

Is there a macro virus for Microsoft Word?

In particular, since Microsoft Word is available on Macintosh computers, word macro viruses can attack some Macs in addition to Windows platforms. An example of a macro virus is the Melissa virus which appeared in March 1999. When a user opens a Microsoft Word document containing the Melissa virus, their computer becomes infected.

Is it possible for a macro virus to spread?

Macro viruses are often harmless to the computer or the program itself, but they cause confusion and frustration for the user. Once installed on a computer, they can spread across multiple programs if they’re not contained.