Definitions for "Macro Viruses"
Macro viruses are programs written in the macro language which is provided with some software applications (word processors, spreadsheets, etc.) To propagate, macro viruses exploit the capabilities of the macro languages to transfer themselves from one infected file (document or spreadsheet) to another.
Macro viruses are written in languages supported by some products, such as Word, Excel, or Microsoft Office. They are small programs embedded into a document, and have almost as much control of the system as the user does. Macro viruses are one of the most common methods used to attack a system, though Internet Worms are becoming more and more prevalent as well. This type of virus can cause any amount of trouble, such as overwriting programs. Despite innovations in systems defence, macro viruses continue to be a big problem. They spread by first infecting the global template, and then infect other documents that are accessed. Macro viruses vary in effectiveness, and at times they can only infect open documents.
Macro viruses are computer viruses that use an application's own programming language to distribute themselves. Macro viruses do not infect programs; they infect documents and templates. Opening a document or template that contains a macro virus will infect your system and the virus will spread to other documents and templates you may have on your system. Some macro viruses are not harmful, but can be annoying. However, some macro viruses can be destructive.