According to researchers at Proofpoint , the use of traditional macro attachments dropped by recently because Microsoft started blocking them by default. In response, attackers pivoted to using RAR and ISO attachments to trick users into manually extracting and running the malicious files. Interesting Reads on the Topic

Because Microsoft has been cracking down on Office macros, threat actors have started hiding their malicious files inside container formats like or ISO to bypass security filters.

Inside that archive is a Word or Excel document. When you open it, it usually shows a fake "Protected" message, urging you to click "Enable Content" to see the file.

Here’s a breakdown of why that specific file type is so interesting from a security perspective: The "Macro-Archive" Strategy

Macro-Blocking & How Threat Actors Are Adapting - Proofpoint

Historically, hackers sent .doc or .xls files directly. Now, they use a multi-step "infection chain":

You download a .rar (like the one you mentioned) or .zip file. This is often done to hide the malicious code from email scanners that might block a direct Office attachment.

It looks like you're diving into some cybersecurity research! Finding a file named Office Macro Downloader.rar is a major red flag, as this is a classic technique used by hackers to deliver malware.