The ActiveX technology is used to create ActiveX controls that are used by Web site developers to embed various functionalities and interactions in Web pages. These ActiveX controls are embedded to Web pages using the Microsoft’s Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology. Using ActiveX controls, developers can actually convert your Web pages into a software program. For instance, with the help of ActiveX controls, developers can incorporate Flash interactions, and PDF and Word documents in your Web pages.
ActiveX Security Problems
One of the main causes of ActiveX problems is due to its own architecture. The ActiveX objects are distributed using the OLE technology, which was primarily developed to run applications on a single system accessed by a single user. This is the reason why not much work was done to enhance the security features of OLE. Therefore, when an ActiveX control is downloaded to your system, your whole system opens up to the control and it has the same rights as the currently logged on user has to your computer. This ActiveX security vulnerability catalyzed the introduction of several malicious ActiveX controls to the market that have the capability to steal your confidential information, infect it with malware programs, and even format your hard disk.
To prevent ActiveX problems related to this security lapse, Microsoft has introduced the ‘code signing’ process. This process requires developers to get their ActiveX controls validated and certified for distribution. Once signed, an ActiveX control cannot be modified in any way. Additionally, the security of Internet Explorer has been enhanced to ensure that the ActiveX control you are trying to download is signed or not. If it is not signed, a warning message is displayed on the Web page.
ActiveX Update Problems
ActiveX update problems are actually related to a recent ActiveX update released by Microsoft in order to settle a patent dispute with Eola.
This update changes the way Internet Explorer works with ActiveX controls that are loaded using the APPLET, EMBED, or OBJECT elements. After this update is installed, users can interact with controls only after they activate the user interface of these controls. To activate these controls, referred to as the Interactive Controls, users need to either click on the control or press the Tab key and then the Enter or Space bar key. If you fail to activate these controls, then certain user interactions with mouse and keyboard are blocked.
To prevent this problem, many software manufacturers for products, such as Google toolbar and Java Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) 1.3 or 1.4 have included a workaround this problem in the latest update. So, to fix ActiveX errors in this case, update the product that is causing the problem.
Prevent ActiveX Problems
There are a number of tasks that you can perform to fix and prevent ActiveX problems:
- Many security threats and problems once detected are usually rectified in the security releases and patches released by software manufacturers. This is the reason why you must always keep your operating system, applications, and device drivers up-to-date with the latest releases.
- Configure Internet Explorer security to define the way you want it to handle ActiveX controls.
- Implement a firewall to prevent unsolicited external intrusion.
- Avoid accessing dubious Web sites and opening attachments and Web links that come with spam and other suspicious e-mails.
- Perform regular antivirus and antispyware scans of the system.
- Use a good and advanced registry cleaner tool to maintain a healthy registry that is free of any malicious information.
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