Microsoft KB Archive/263188

= XL2000: Q&A About Excel Macro/Laroux Macro Virus =

Article ID: 263188

Article Last Modified on 9/25/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q263188





SUMMARY
In July 1996, Microsoft learned of a nondestructive macro virus that affects Microsoft Excel.



MORE INFORMATION
Q: What are macro viruses?

A: Macro viruses are a type of virus that use a program's own macro programming language to distribute themselves. Unlike previous viruses, macro viruses do not infect programs; they infect documents.

Q: What is Sofa?

A: This is a nonharmful, nondestructive macro virus that does not affect data in any way. Infected files display the application header &quot;Microsofa Excel&quot; instead of &quot;Microsoft Excel.&quot;

Q: What is ExcelMacro/Laroux?

A: This is a nonharmful, nondestructive concept virus. It simply appends a macro sheet called &quot;laroux&quot; to workbooks. It does not affect data or anything else in the workbook. This is the first replicating macro virus ever discovered in Microsoft Excel.

Q: What is Laroux B?

A: Laroux B is a variation of the original virus that is the same in all respects, but can overwrite existing macros on the user's Personal.xls macro sheet.

Keywords: kbhowto kbualink97 kbprogramming kbfaq KB263188

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