Microsoft KB Archive/154131

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

Article ID: 154131

Article Last Modified on 1/9/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 5.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 98 for Macintosh

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This article was previously published under Q154131





SUMMARY
In July 1996, Microsoft learned of a nondestructive macro virus that affects Microsoft Excel. The following information is taken from the online Question and Answer document about the Microsoft Excel macro virus.

NOTE: To protect yourself, obtain the Microsoft Excel Virus Search Version 2.0 add-in. For more information, please see the following Microsoft World Wide Web site:

http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/9798/xlscan97.aspx



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 "Microsofa Excel" instead of "Microsoft Excel."

Q: What is ExcelMacro/Laroux?

A: This is a nonharmful, nondestructive concept virus. It simply appends a macro sheet called "laroux" 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.

