How does the Melissa virus work?

★ wanayoo — archive 1999 http://howstuffworks.com/question103.htm

Question of the Day

Q&A Archive

HSW keeps a complete archive of previously answered questions to help you find answers quickly. Please Click Here for a complete list of previously answered questions.

Asking Questions

If you would like to ask a question, you can click here.

Each weekday Marshall Brain answers questions submitted by the readers of How Stuff Works in the Question of the Day section of HSW. You can also view previously answered questions in the HSW Question Archive. Here is today's question!

Question

I heard all about the "Melissa" virus this week. How does it work, and how do computer viruses work in general?

Answer

The Melissa virus is a Microsoft Word "macro virus". It got so bad this week that several major companies had to shut down their email systems! For a complete look at computer viruses and an explanation of the Melissa virus, see the new HSW article entitled How Computer Viruses Work. It's fascinating!

How Stuff Works Power Panel

	Table of Contents A complete list of all HSW articles		About Marshall Brain Information about the creator of HSW
	Search Search for any word or concept in HSW		Citing HSW Information about citing HSW in articles and papers
	Question of the Day Ask questions or browse hundreds in the archive		Books A variety of books for people interested in how stuff works
	HSW Newsletter Sign up to receive the monthly HSW newsletter		Contacting HSW Contact HSW directly with email
	What's New Review newsletters to chart HSW's development		Awards Check out HSW's awards and reviews!
	Disclaimer The disclaimer required by the lawyer		Author Information Learn how you can write for HSW
	HSW Fan Buttons Link to HSW with these snazzy fan buttons!		Suggestions Leave a suggestion in the suggestion box

How Stuff Works (http://www.howstuffworks.com) is a production of
BYG Publishing, Inc.
http://www.bygpub.com - questions@bygpub.com
P.O. Box 40492 - Raleigh, NC 27629