Dictionary of Information Security

M

machine language computer language composed of

machine instructions that can be executed directly

by a computer without further modification

MacMag early Macintosh virus known also as Brandow,

after the instigator (the publisher of the MacMag

magazine), and Peace, after the message payload.

MacMag has the dubious distinction of being the

first virus known to have infected commercial

software.

macro virus a macro is a small piece of programming in a

simple language, used to perform a simple, repetitive

function. Microsoft’s Word Basic and VBA macro

languages can include macros in data files, and have

sufficient functionality to write complete viruses.

Macro viruses therefore broke the long-held belief

that viruses only infected executable files, and that ...