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macro virus
Last modified: Monday, April 05, 2004
A type of computer virus that is encoded as a macro embedded in a document. Many applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, support powerful macro languages. These applications allow you to embed a macro in a document, and have the macro execute each time the document is opened.
According to some estimates, 75% of all viruses today are macro viruses. Once a macro virus gets onto your machine, it can embed itself in all future documents you create with the application. Antivirus programs can protect your system against most macro viruses, although new ones are always being created that slip by the antivirus filters.
A Computer Virus Primer If you are one of the millions of computer users surfing the Internet, you need to be aware of the threat and protect yourself accordingly.
Word Macro Virus FAQ Microsoft FAQ with answers to questions about Word macro viruses.
