Microsoft KB Archive/269613

= XL2000: How to Reduce the Chances of Macro Virus Infection =

Article ID: 269613

Article Last Modified on 10/8/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q269613



SUMMARY
This article explains how you can reduce the risk of infecting Microsoft Excel -- including your worksheets, templates, and add-ins -- with macro viruses.



MORE INFORMATION
To reduce the chances of contracting a macro virus infection, use one or more of the following methods.

NOTE: Use of these methods does not provide a 100-percent guarantee that you will not contract a macro virus.

Method 1: Install Antivirus Software
For a long-term solution to macro viruses, install antivirus software that is specifically designed to detect macro viruses.

NOTE: After you install an antivirus software program, you must keep it updated to ensure that new macro viruses are detected and removed. For more information about updating your antivirus software program, please contact your antivirus software vendor.

Method 2: Increase the Security Level
Microsoft Excel offers the following levels of security to reduce the chances that a macro virus will infect your worksheets, templates, or add-ins.

To change the security level in Excel, follow these steps:
 * 1) On the Tools menu, point to Macro and then click Security.
 * 2) On the Security Level tab, select the security level that you want, and then click OK.

For more information about security levels, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type security level in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

For additional information about &quot;best practices&quot; for avoiding macro virus infection in Microsoft Word, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

233396 WD2000: How to Reduce the Chances of Macro Virus Infection

Method 3: Lock the Project
To lock your Excel project with a password and reduce the possibility of unauthorized access by a macro virus, follow these steps:
 * 1) On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Visual Basic Editor.
 * 2) In the Project Explorer, select ThisWorkbook.

NOTE: If the Project Explorer does not appear, click Project Explorer on the View menu.
 * 1) On the Tools menu, click VBAProject Properties.
 * 2) On the Protection tab, click to select the Lock project for viewing check box.
 * 3) Type a password in the Password box.
 * 4) Type the same password in the Confirm password box.
 * 5) Click OK.
 * 6) On the File menu, click Close and return to Microsoft Excel.

For more information about locking your VBA project, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type protection tab in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For information about how to contact the manufacturer of your antivirus software, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Additional query words: XL2000 vba

Keywords: kbhowto kbinfo kbdtacode KB269613

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