What is Macro Virus? What is macro virus that affects many data files such as Excel tables, Word documents, etc. and how to remove it? Here is the macro virus in all details!
Have you ever thought that the Excel spreadsheets or Word documents you have prepared with great effort could be damaged by a virus? Have you also done any research on how to take precautions in case this happens?
In this article, we will give information about  macro virus which directly affects data files such as Word documents, Excel tables, etc.
How to Spread and Remove Macro Virus
A macro virus exactly replaces the set of commands used by programs that perform common operations on a computer. In many word processing programs, the action of “opening a document” consists of several different steps. A macro is needed to perform this action.
Therefore, macro viruses start automatically when macros are executed because they change the command set. In other words, macro viruses are written in the same macro language as software programs such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
Since this type of virus is written in the same language as software programs such as Word and Excel, it does not only infect the documents you have prepared with great care. It is also very damaging to computer software.
One of the most annoying aspects of the macro virus is that it accesses e-mail accounts. After accessing the email account, you can unknowingly send the infected attachment to your contacts and infect their computers as well.
Macroware viruses are spread when a document is opened. Macro viruses spread in the following ways;
- Files on a network,
- Malicious files on memory sticks or disks,
- Phishing emails with additional content,
- Internal intranet files,
The way macro viruses work is that they are embedded in data files such as spreadsheets, documents consisting of malicious code, etc. When ordinary commands are replaced with malicious code, they infect the computer.
For example, when there is a macro virus, just opening emails will cause it to be activated. In such a situation your commands are invalid. Therefore your command will work on your computer.
All documents are affected by the virus when anything is done on a macro-infected computer. This type of virus can delete or add words to documents. It changes words and causes problems with processors. The virus can also cause the following;
- Can add images to documents,
- It corrupts the hard drive,
- Carries the text,
Once you realize that your computer is infected with a macro virus, remove it immediately. This will prevent it from spreading further. To get rid of the macro virus, the computer must be restarted in “Safe Mode”. The antivirus software is activated to remove the malware.
If you have done this and still cannot remove the virus from the computer, you should seek help from someone who is knowledgeable in this field. If you suspect that your Excel or Word files are infected, try opening them in “Safe Mode”.
Then double click on the “View” and “Macros” icons. Go to the “Editor” area and find the infected file in the drop-down menu. After all these steps, the virus should be removed from the file.
How to Prevent Macro Virus
To prevent the macro virus from infecting the computer, you should pay attention to these points;
- Use strong antivirus software,
- Antivirus software must be up to date,
- Banner ads should not be clicked,
- Emails and email attachments should be opened with caution,
- Safe websites should be accessed,
- The spam filter in the email must be activated,
- All macro security jobs must be activated,
A powerful antivirus program can fully protect your computer from malware. However, as mentioned above, it is important to make sure that the software is up to date. Every email and attachments should not be opened.
Even if it comes from an e-mail address of someone you know, first ask if it was sent to that person. If the other party says that he or she did not send the e-mail, do not open it.
