Which type of malware embeds macros in Office documents to propagate?

Which type of malware embeds macros in Office documents to propagate?

• A. Worm
• B. Macro virus
• C. Trojan
• D. Ransomware

Answer: (B)

Macros embedded in Office documents are small programs (written in VBA) that automate tasks within Word, Excel, and similar apps. A macro virus is malware that hides malicious code inside these macros. When an unsuspecting user opens a document and enables macros, the malicious macro runs and can copy itself into other documents, propagate through email or shared drives, and download additional payloads. This method relies on social engineering to persuade users to enable macros, and it’s a classic way attackers achieve rapid spread through widely used Office files. In contrast, a worm spreads by exploiting network or email mechanisms to replicate itself independently, a Trojan hides as a harmless program to trick users into running it, and ransomware encrypts files to demand payment.

Macros embedded in Office documents are small programs (written in VBA) that automate tasks within Word, Excel, and similar apps. A macro virus is malware that hides malicious code inside these macros. When an unsuspecting user opens a document and enables macros, the malicious macro runs and can copy itself into other documents, propagate through email or shared drives, and download additional payloads. This method relies on social engineering to persuade users to enable macros, and it’s a classic way attackers achieve rapid spread through widely used Office files.

In contrast, a worm spreads by exploiting network or email mechanisms to replicate itself independently, a Trojan hides as a harmless program to trick users into running it, and ransomware encrypts files to demand payment.