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Which type of virus is designed to attach itself to documents and spread through macros in programs like Microsoft Word or Excel?
Polymorphic Virus
Network Virus
Resident Virus
Macro Virus
Macro Virus
A Macro virus is a type of malicious code written in a macro language, such as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which is embedded within software applications like Microsoft Word or Excel. When a user opens an infected document, the macro automatically executes, allowing the virus to spread to other documents or perform unauthorized system actions.
A Macro virus is a type of malicious code written in a macro language, such as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which is embedded within software applications like Microsoft Word or Excel. When a user opens an infected document, the macro automatically executes, allowing the virus to spread to other documents or perform unauthorized system actions.
Think of it like an 'all-purpose sticky note' attached to a document; if the note contains instructions to 'photocopy yourself onto every other paper in the room' the moment you unfold it, the virus spreads to everything it touches.
MACRO = Malicious Automated Code Running Objects
The virus exploits the functionality of scripting languages built into productivity suites designed to automate repetitive tasks. When the document is opened, the host application's macro engine triggers the execution of the embedded script. The malicious script then seeks out the global template (e.g., NORMAL.DOTM in Word) to infect every subsequent document created or opened by that application.
Macro viruses reside in the data layer of files rather than the executable (.exe) layer.
They are platform-independent if the application (e.g., MS Office) runs on different operating systems.
Modern versions of Microsoft Office have security settings that disable macros by default to mitigate this risk.
Compromises file integrity
Can lead to unauthorized data transmission
Difficult to detect without updated anti-malware software
Automated data theft from spreadsheets
Self-propagation through email attachments
System configuration changes via script execution
Polymorphic viruses constantly change their identifiable features to evade detection.
Network viruses specifically propagate through network connections rather than file exchange.
Resident viruses load into the computer's RAM and interrupt system operations.
D is correct тАФ A Macro virus specifically targets software automation features like macros to execute malicious code within documents.
In competitive exams, always distinguish between viruses that target executables versus those that target data-carrying document formats; the latter rely on application-level scripting engines.