Search Results: macros

With Microsoft Office Macros Blocked by Default, Hackers are Using Other Techniques

New Proofpoint research show how threat actors are adapting to Microsoft blocking Office macros by default by leveraging other file types.

July 29, 2022 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

After pausing the rollout of a default macro-blocking feature in Microsoft Office, Microsoft is now officially blocking VBA macros by default in Office applications in a move to make it harder for threat actors to deploy malware and ransomware using Office applications. Microsoft first announced the VBA macro blocking in February 2022, just a few […]

Microsoft Temporarily Rolls Back Default Office VBA Macros Blocking

Citing feedback, Microsoft is temporarily reversing its rollout of a feature that blocks VBA macros in Office apps by default.

July 11, 2022 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Update July 11: In an update to the original blog post announcing the blocking of VBA macros by default, Microsoft said the rollback is temporary while additional changes are made to enhance visibility. “This is a temporary change, and we are fully committed to making the default change for all users,” Microsoft says in the […]

Emotet Pivots From Office Macros to OneDrive URLs and PowerShell, Security Researchers Warn

With Microsoft taking action preventing the malicious use of Office macros, the Emotet operators are turning to OneDrive URLs and PowerShell.

April 27, 2022 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Notorious botnet Emotet is reportedly testing out new attack methods that bypass new Microsoft protections against Macros in Office documents and leverage OneDrive URLs and PowerShell. The Emotet botnet began its reemergence in November 2021 after its January 2021 takedown by a multinational coalition of law enforcement, with the group associated with the botnet targeting […]

Microsoft To Disable VBA Macros For Office Apps By Default

Microsoft will now block VBA macros obtained from the internet by default for Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Word.

February 8, 2022 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Microsoft is rolling out a new security feature that will block VBA macros obtained from the internet by default for five Office apps that run macros, helping to prevent malware deployments to unwitting end users. In a Tech Community blog, the company says this default setting impacts Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Word, and only […]

Microsoft Now Disables Excel Macros By Default

Admins have several options to access the setting and set group policies to limit the organization's exposure to ransomware.

January 24, 2022 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Excel is now a little safer for organizations to use as Microsoft is making a once optional setting that disables the usage of Excel 4.0 macros the default. According to a Tech Community blog, the setting—which was rolled out as an optional setting in July 2021—is now the default when users open Excel 4.0 macros. […]

What is Going on With Microsoft Exchange Server Throttling and Blocking?

Microsoft will begin throttling and blocking emails from unsupported, unpatched Exchange servers over the next two months. Here's why.

April 17, 2023 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Microsoft is hoping to address the security issue of emails sent to Exchange online from unsupported and unpatched Exchange Servers by enabling a transport-based enforcement system in Exchange Online that will throttle and then block emails from an unsupported server. The end goal is to encourage Microsoft customers to stop using persistently vulnerable versions of […]

Cybersecurity testing, penetration testing, cyber threats

Is Your Organization Testing Against the Right Cyber Threats?

New research shows that organizations are testing against cyber threats in the headlines rather than attacks they're more likely to face.

April 12, 2023 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Ransomware, supply chain attacks and nation-state threat actors have grabbed mainstream headlines in recent years, and organizations are largely recognizing that they must invest more in cybersecurity to defend against those emerging techniques. However, new research shows that some organizations are prioritizing defending against those trending, newsworthy threats at the expense of the threats actually […]

Tax day concept. Businessman using the laptop to fill in the income tax online return form for payment.

Best Practices on How to Avoid Phishing Scams Ahead of Tax Day

Learn how to protect yourself and your organization from tax scams ahead of the U.S. tax deadline with these best practices.

April 10, 2023 Steven Spadaccini Leave a Comment

With April’s U.S. tax deadline, cybercriminals have sprung into action. For one, a devious Emotet malware phishing campaign has been launched, masquerading as official W-9 tax form emails sent from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A malicious group known as Tactical#Octopus is also on the prowl and looking to spread malware through fake file downloads […]

Hackers Are Pivoting to OneNote Documents for Malware Delivery

Proofpoint researchers say they have identified an increase in the use of OneNote documents to deliver malware after Microsoft blocks macros.

February 6, 2023 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Threat actors are increasingly using OneNote documents to deliver malware as Microsoft makes it difficult for them to use other Office documents by blocking macros by default. Now, hackers are experimenting with other file types, including using virtual hard disk, compiled HTML and OneNote, according to new research from enterprise security software company Proofpoint. The […]

Windows 11, Windows 365 Boot, IT management, privacy, security,

What IT Pros Should Know About Windows 11 22H2

Windows 11 22H2 includes new IT security and efficiency tools, improved usability and accessibility, and new productivity features.

September 20, 2022 Zachary Comeau Leave a Comment

Microsoft is releasing Windows 11 22H2, and the new version of the operating systems packs a ton of new features for users and IT professionals alike, including new usability and accessibility features, new productivity enhancements, new security tools for increased IT efficiency, and more. Officially called the Windows 11 2022 Update, the new version of […]