Microsoft update allowing macros to run?

[George J]

This is an unusual observation, so my apologies if it has been covered elsewhere.

Previously when I opened any workbook that contained macros, I got a popup message requiring me to enable or cancel. This is still the case if I open a file on my C drive, but not a file I open from a network location. I am asked the first time I open the file, but not after this.

The setting for this is under File>Options>Trust Center>Trust Center Settings
Under Trusted locations, Allow Trusted Locations on my Network (not recommended) is unticked
Under Trusted Documents, Allow documents on a network to be trusted is ticked - seemingly by default.

Does this not pose a security risk if a file with malicious code is saved and opened from the network? I am sure that this did not used to be the case and that users had to enable macros every time they opened a document containing macros. We have recently changed from physical to cloud servers so I am not sure if that is the difference, but wanted to ask for opinions as to whether this is something new and if you would rather be asked before macros are run on your system?

 

[RoryA]

It's not new. Once you trust a document to run macros, you shouldn't be asked again after that.

 

[George J]

Thanks Rory

I was not sure if the behaviour change was as a result of an update making the default to be: allow documents on a network to be trusted. We previously had to enable each time so i wondered if this was something new or a change to the default setting.

 

[RoryA]

I’m not aware of an update making that change. Could be a group policy if you’re at work?