Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

-

Aliases :

DMV

Summary

WordMacro/DMV is probably the first Word macro virus to have been written. It is test virus, written by a person called Joel McNamara to study the behavior of macro viruses. As such, it is no threat - it announces its presence in the system, and keeps the user informed of its actions.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Mr. McNamara wrote WordMacro/DMV in fall 1994 - at the same time, he published a detailed study about macro viruses. He kept his test virus under wraps until a real macro virus, WordMacro/Concept, was discovered in fall 1995. At that time, he decided to make WordMacro/DMV known to the public. We oppose to such behaviour; although it can be argued that spreading such information will educate the public, we can also except to see new variants of the DMV virus, as well as totally new viruses inspired by the techniques used in this virus. McNamara also published a skeleton for a virus to infect Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files.

F-Secure anti-virus products detect the WordMacro/DMV macro virus.

See also: Concept, Nuclear, Colors