I recently downloaded an Excel file with macros for a study from a reputable university's trusted site (Prolific). After scanning it with both Malwarebytes and Windows Defender, it didn't raise any alarms, so I opened the file without worry. Later, I checked it through VirusTotal, which also initially seemed fine, but the 'Behaviours' tab flagged it as malware. Now I'm wondering if this is a false positive or if my PC might actually be at risk. I don't fully understand the technical details it provided, so any guidance would be really helpful!
2 Answers
You might be in the clear. Sometimes antivirus programs can mislabel harmless files, especially if they contain macros. If you’re really concerned, just keep your antivirus updated and run regular scans. It helps to be cautious, but it sounds like you're doing the right things by checking the file thoroughly!
It’s quite possible that you encountered a false positive. Excel files with macros can sometimes trigger malware flags even if they're safe. I’d recommend running the file through a couple more scanners to get a second opinion. Sites like Jotti or Hybrid Analysis can be good alternatives to check the file against. Better safe than sorry!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check those sites out.