Macro virus

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Aliases :

Macro virus

Summary

A macro is a type of mini-program included in some applications. Malicious code can be embedded in a macro in a specially crafted document file, allowing it to be executed whenever the macro is run.

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

Macros are sets of instructions that can be triggered by a single command (or even by clicking a button in a program's user interface). Macros are usually embedded in applications or documents, and are often used to execute commonly-performed or repetitive tasks that the user would otherwise have to do.

Though macros are extremely useful, they can be exploited and misused to deliver, execute and hide malware, which are thus often referred to as "macro viruses".

While many applications use macros to improve their user-friendliness, macro viruses are most commonly associated with Microsoft Office programs (such as Word, Excel or Access) due to the almost ubiquitous reach of the business productivity suite.

Most macros will only work with a specific version of a specific application, though there are a very few macro viruses that are capable of operating in multiple environments.