When I went to download a Microsoft thingee, they said I need ActiveX first. But I've read not to put this on your computer, as it leads to many problems. Any advice.
2006-12-10 11:18:43 · 5 answers · asked by dutchlady 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Active X is a security cesspool.
Every extendable browser needs some kind of "high privilege API". Internet Explorer offers ActiveX, Firefox depends on XPCom and PlugIns. If Microsoft decided to drop ActiveX they would need another technology to replace it.
Every browser extension API (ActiveX, XPCom, Java) had critical bugs in the past allowing arbitrary code execution. However none of these are plagued with the sheer volume/ critical insecurities of Active X.
Even now IE collects spyware like flypaper while Firefox gets almost none on the same sites. Why? ActiveX 90% of the time easy. Lots of companies turn off activex, I've rarely heard of IT heads disableing all Java controls. ActiveX is the saturday night special of APIs. It needs to be replaced.
I only use IE for downloading updates from MS. Period.
If I were you I would install a more secure browser, such as FireFox 2.0 http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
for every day web-browing
FF can be further beefed up with a Plugin called "no-script" https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/722/
I would install the "CraptiveX" controls solely for the purpose of visiting MS's website and applying patches and updates, and just dont use the browser for anything else.
2006-12-10 11:58:15 · answer #1 · answered by gnobody 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes. Do you trust the site askin for ActiveX DL? If its Microsoft.com its safe. But some sites use ActiveX To take over your computer and bundle it with spyware. So Be carful and watch your back! So what site wants it? You dudes got be specific!
2006-12-10 11:31:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol miccrosoft tell us in there help/support on win xp that some
Activex can do da. hard drive in go to start>help/support
type in ActiveX hit go then read what they can do to a pc i never download them i can see why microsoft are having prblems with malware they tell us wrong things
2006-12-10 11:22:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a anti virus you should scan it quickly just in case if it's not a threat then keep it if it is throw it away to the trash as soon as possible
2006-12-10 11:29:07 · answer #4 · answered by david h 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no its not
2006-12-10 11:40:50 · answer #5 · answered by tweety_mm19 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋