Microsoft to Block VBA Macros from the Internet

Your first question is probably “What are VBA macros, and how do they affect me?”. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macros are a common way that malicious individuals use to gain access to deploy malware and ransomware to your device. In an effort to make life harder for cybercriminals, Microsoft has announced that it will be blocking untrusted VBA macros sourced from the internet by default. However, users will still be able to bypass this – depending on their permission setup.

Why is Microsoft Blocking Macros?

Apart from stopping malicious attacks, Microsoft feels it’s time for Microsoft Office to step up its defence systems. This change is expected to come in Microsoft Office version 2203, which is due out in April 2022. The Microsoft Office blocking update will initially apply to Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, and Visio.

While macros add some decent functionality, they aren’t needed for editing or viewing documents, and you can do everything you need to across Microsoft Office without them.

What Should I Do If Asked to Download a Macro?

Firstly, you need to ascertain if you were expecting to receive a file with macros, even if you know the person who sent the file to you. Cybercriminals often impersonate people and businesses you know. If you were not expecting such a file. DO NOT OPEN IT AND DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY.

Another common tactic cyber attackers use is to try and get you to read a legal document or cancel an order that you never placed. As soon as you download the document, it will request you to run macros. You will never need macros to read a document or open an Excel file. DO NOT OPEN IT AND DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY.

If you have already downloaded the file from a website and receive messages asking you to enable the content, DO NOT ACTIVATE IT. These are common tactics that cybercriminals use. If you are unsure about downloading a macro, it’s probably best not to do so.

How Can I Unblock a Macro?

However, if you are sure that the file is safe and need to unblock the macros, here are the steps you should take:

1. Save the file to a local hard drive, network share, or cloud share like OneDrive.
2. Open Windows File Explorer and go to the folder where you saved the file.
3. Right-click the file and choose Properties from the context menu.
4. At the bottom of the General tab, you should see a section for Security. 
5. Select the Unblock checkbox and select OK.

IT departments may use a policy that prevents company employees from overriding macros. However, Microsoft warns against this unless absolutely necessary.

Regular IT Audits are the Solution

Unsecured devices and networks put you and your business at risk. Therefore, it is essential to conduct regular security IT audits to ensure that your IT security is sufficient and in place. Regular IT audits will also reduce the risk of lost or stolen data and your intellectual property falling into the wrong hands.

Westech is a highly experienced and professional IT support company in South Africa, providing networking, maintenance, and IT-related services since 1994. Contact one of our security specialists today to determine if your network is secure.