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Threat groups often hide malware behind macros in innocent-seeming documents, but Microsoft's proposed change should make that route less effective

Big security change introduced for the productivity suite

The move has been widely welcomed by the security industry, though concerns remain over the ease of implementation

In so many ways macros have made life easier for Office users, helping to automated and speed up a variety of tasks. But they also pose a gigantic security threat, particularly in documents downloaded from the internet.

Macros can be the Office version of a phishing attempt.

Macros can be the Office version of a phishing attempt.

Macros can be the Office version of a phishing attempt.

A big change is coming in early April of 2022. Internet macros will be blocked by default in Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio.

The next time you download a Microsoft Office file, you’ll have one less thing to worry about, as Microsoft is blocking Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros by default in downloaded files.

Microsoft is planning to block VBA macros in Office. Any Office files downloaded from the internet will have macros blocked by default, in a security push.