Macro virus (computing)
From Free net encyclopedia
- See macro virus for other meanings of this phrase.
In computer technology, a macro virus is a virus that is written in a macro language. It is largely a problem because rather than create a new function to perform macros, some software vendors connected the macro writing functions in their software to the same computer language that they used to write that same software. Because of this, anyone with knowledge of that particular programming language can code a program that will launch immediately when the file is opened and perform nearly any task that they desire on your computer. This is why you are told not to open attachments in e-mail because of the danger of embedded macros. Note that to date, only Microsoft Office products are vulnerable to this kind of virus and if you use different software or simply turn off the macro feature, you will be immune to the problem without having to buy any special scanner or virus program.