What is ActiveControlX?

Question

or.. whatever.. that little yellow bar that pops up on the top of the IE windows.. what is that? is it good or bad?

i remember some people saying it's bad and slows down computers by downloading stuff in the backround..

anybody familiar with it?

Answer 1

ActiveX Control is a Microsoft term that is used to denote reusable software components that are based on Microsoft Component Object Model (COM). ActiveX controls provide encapsulated reusable functionality to programs and they are typically but not always visual in nature.
ActiveX controls are not inherently unsafe, especially when used within a development package like Visual Basic. In that context, assuming the author is trusted, they are no less safe than the other programming code the developer who uses the controls may write.
ActiveX controls are instead unsafe for users of Internet Explorer who turn on the browser's ability to download and activate ActiveX controls within a web page. The problems occur when a user surfs to a non-trusted web page and that web page contains a malicious ActiveX control. This is a very common means of distributing malware such as adware and spyware to unwitting users of Internet Explorer; the easiest way to avoid it is to not install ActiveX controls from untrusted sites.

Answer 2

ActiveX is a technology developed by Microsoft. With an ActiveX-enabled browser (i.e. Internet Explorer only) ActiveX controls can be downloaded as part of a Web document to add functionality to the browser (similar to Java applets). In particular ActiveX enables seamless viewing of Windows files of all types, e.g. spreadsheets, and in combination with other technologies such as Java and scripting languages, makes possible the development of complex Web applications. Currently it runs on 32-bit Windows platforms

Answer 3

Read this here for a more in-depth explanation: http://www.active-x.com/articles/whatis.htm
ActiveX could be good or bad. When you go to somewbsite you'll need to enable ActiveX for the website to work (ie: downloading, popups,...etc..). ActiveX can also carry virus or spyware if you enable it for suspicious website. In IE it's disable by default, that's why when you go to a website IE will ask you if you want to allow ActiveX. Choose yes for trusted websites that required it like Microsoft for instance and do not enable it for website that you have doubt.

Answer 4

that is Interent explorer warning you that a website wants to install an Active X control

an Active X control is a small program that helps your browser decode content in web pages, like Shockwave or Acrobat reader(browser plugin)

However some can give you popups or re-direct your webpage to undesireable web addresses (spyware)

so only download from reputable websites (like microsoft.. or Norton..etc.)

Answer 5

some ActiveControlX can kill da hard drive it is best u disable them on ur explorer hit on tools> manage add-ons disable them in da box in da enable box hit on them then hit on disable