Mac Security: Protecting Against Malicious Macros

Windows computers are much more vulnerable to viruses and malware than Mac machines. However, Mac users should still be vigilant about their computer’s security.

Macros can cause damage to a Mac, just as they can to a Windows PC. So users should guard against malicious macros.

By default, Word 2004 will warn you before you open a document that contains a macro. But this feature can be disabled. To ensure that you receive notification that a document contains a macro, follow these steps:

1. Open Word and click the Word menu

2. Select Preferences

3. Click Security in the left pane

4. Make sure "Warn before opening a file that contains macros" is selected

5. Click OK

When you open a document that contains a macro, Word will ask you if you wish to enable the macro. If you are unsure about the macro, play it safe and don’t enable it. Even if the document is from a trusted source, ask if it should contain a macro.