Macro Virus: Definition, Operation, Prevention & Removal
A macro virus is a malicious program written in the same code as the software program it targets for system entry.
Software programs, such as Microsoft Word, rely on a web of code that sits just beneath the surface. Micro viruses are written in the same language, and your computer can't tell the difference between valid and malignant code.
If you're infected with a macro virus, your software can behave in unexpected ways. And you could infect plenty of other people and never know it.
What Is a Macro Virus?
A macro virus is a malicious piece of code embedded within software. During an attack, your program doesn't respond in an expected manner. And you may send many copies to others during your workday.
Coding starts the process. A hacker writes something that sits deep inside common software, such as those in the Microsoft suite. The macro may look like it does something harmless (like help you to save a file), but it can do something else either instead or at the same time.
If you're infected with a macro virus, you might experience:
- Strange demands. You might get asked to enter passwords when opening or saving files, even if you never needed them before.
- Unusual formats. Your documents might get saved as templates rather than standard files.
- Cries of alarm. You might get notes from colleagues about files you don't remember sending.
A macro virus is meant to remain hidden. You won't see an alert in your files as you work on them. But the code deploys each time you meet the hacker's specific demands.
How Do Macro Viruses Work?
Hackers manipulate macros, and they're available in almost every type of software. Macros make all of the small, repetitive tasks we complete bearable.
For example, when we open a new document in Word, we use a Normal template based on a Normal macro. Your new document comes preloaded with the fonts you like, the paper size you use, and more.
Hackers love to manipulate the normal macro, experts say, as users may lean on it dozens of times each day. But you might also have macros that help you:
- Load Word.
- Open an existing document.
- Create a new document.
- Close a document.
- Quit Word.
Any of these could be touched or tampered with by a malicious macro. Or the hacker could create a new macro from scratch to infect your files.
When your computer is infected, you tend to spread it to others. All the files on your server might be affected by it, and each time a coworker opens a file, it deploys again.
It's easy to complain about people who open infected files and download virus content. But new macro viruses come with clever prompts that push users to take action. You might see a warning that says you need to hit "