Editing Macro virus (section)

{{short description|Computer virus written in a macro language}}
{{redirect | Macrovirus
  | the Star Trek: Voyager episode | Macrocosm (Star Trek: Voyager)
  | a very large virus | Giant virus }}

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{{original research|date=November 2011}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2011}}
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In [[computing]] terminology, a '''macro virus''' is a [[computer virus|virus]] that is written in a [[Macro (computer science)|macro]] [[programming language|language]]: a programming language which is embedded inside a software application (e.g., word processors and spreadsheet applications). Some applications, such as [[Microsoft Office]], [[Microsoft Office|Excel]], [[Microsoft Office|PowerPoint]]  allow macro programs to be embedded in documents such that the macros are run automatically when the document is opened, and this provides a distinct mechanism by which malicious computer instructions can spread. This is one reason it can be dangerous to open unexpected [[e-mail attachment|attachments]] in [[e-mail]]s. Many [[antivirus software|antivirus programs]] can detect macro viruses; however, the macro virus' behavior can still be difficult to detect.