Microsoft to Block Office VBA Macros to Improve Security

Microsoft is considering blocking Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros by default in various Office apps.

Tech giant Microsoft is has stated that it is considering blocking Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros by default in various Office apps to enhance security. The company has said that this will be applicable to all Office files that are directly downloaded from the internet and which primarily will include macros. Hereafter, the Office users will no longer be able to use certain content using a click of a button.

Microsoft has stated that hackers have been targeting Office documents with malicious macros in recent times, as Office has long prompted the users to enable macros running just with a click. Microsoft's click option could lead to severe data loss, including compromised identity and remote access.

To avoid this, Microsoft, instead of a button, will be using a security risk banner that will appear with a link to a Microsoft support article, which will be easy to block malicious and harmful macros that cause a data breach. Microsoft plans to block VBA macros in various Microsoft apps like Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Word on Windows.