WD: ScanProt and Macro Virus Protection Tool Version History

ID: Q153195

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1

SUMMARY

Microsoft has released three versions of the Macro Virus Protection Tool. This Word add-in detects one specific macro virus and protects against macro viruses in general.

The three versions of the Macro Virus Protection Tool, as described in this article, do not function in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows and Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition. Word 97 for Windows and Word 98 for Macintosh have a built-in detection scheme that warns you when you are opening documents or templates that contain macros.

This article describes the different versions of the ScanProt tool.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on using ScanProt with Word 97 for Windows, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q158499
   TITLE     : Cannot Use ScanProt with Word 97

NOTE: This tool was created and released as a temporary measure; use ScanProt until you can obtain a virus protection utility created and maintained by one of the companies specializing in virus protection. ScanProt is not intended to be a permanent fix, and is updated infrequently. It may not detect newer versions of virus macros.

For information on obtaining software designed specifically for detection and prevention of macro viruses, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q49500
   TITLE     : Anti-Virus Software Vendors

Note that the ScanProt tool does offer some protection from future infection by warning you that the document being opened includes macros that could contain a virus. However, it is not sophisticated in its detection methods and could be bypassed. We therefore strongly suggest that you secure a more comprehensive protection utility as soon as possible.

History

The three versions of the Macro Virus Protection Tool are described in the following table.

   File name    Information about this version
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Scan831.doc  This version was released just after the macro viruses were
   8/30/95      first discovered. It has several known shortcomings that 
                were addressed in the next release. Do not use this 
                version; use a later version instead.

   Scanprot.dot This version corrects the problems discovered in 
   10/2/95      Scan831.doc and should be used with all American English 
                versions of Word (6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0a, 6.0c, and 7.0).

                NOTE: This version should NOT be used with Word for Windows
                version 7.0a. If you have Word version 7.0a, use the later
                version of Scanprot.dot.

                This file is available for download from the Microsoft
                Software Library (as Mw1222.hqx for the Macintosh and
                Wd1215.exe for Windows):

                 ~ Mw1222.hqx
                 ~ Wd1215.exe

   Scanprot.dot This version addresses problems that occur when you run the
   5/17/96 or   previous version of Scanprot.dot with the built-in 
   5/10/96      protection implemented in Word version 7.0a. It also 
                includes support for foreign localized versions of Word. 
                While this version will work on the Macintosh it offers no 
   Use with     significant improvement over the version already released    
   Word for     and is quite a bit larger.
   Windows 95
   version 7.0
   only         How this version is different from the previous edition of
                Scanprot.dot:

                1. The CleanAll macro now closes all files in Word before
                   running. It opens each document on screen as it checks
                   it.

                2. CleanAll turns off 7.0a macro virus protection before
                   running.

                3. CleanAll enables 7.0a macro virus protection after 
                   running or exiting.

                4. AutoOpenScan does not install protective macros.

                5. AutoOpenScan does not ask you if you want to install the
                   protection. It's automatic.

                6. Checks the normal template for the concept virus,
                   regardless of Word version.

                This file is available for download from the Microsoft
                Software Library:

                 ~ Mvtool40.exe

For more information about downloading files from the Microsoft Software Library, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
   TITLE     : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Additional query words: prank concept

Keywords          : kbmacro winword macword word6 word7 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.x,7.0; MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: January 21, 1999