Macro viruses have been a security nightmare for years. First appearing in 1995, they didn’t start gaining global popularity until 1999, when the Melissa virus showed up. Melissa virus was distributed via email attachments, and it quickly became the most rapidly spreading virus of its time, inspiring future mass-mailing types of malware. The Melissa virus was so destructive that its creator later served time in prison for his work.
Source:: Avast