what is activex? what does this do?

Answer 1

ActiveX is Microsoft's way of executing programs within a shell environment. Most software the interfaces with MS products use activex calls. MS Update is on of them that most people use, which relies heavily on activex. Alot of virus's use activex to install themselves without user knowledge and that starts a whole wave of problems for everyone.

If possible turn OFF activex unless you really need it. As I have seen many problems start from this. Another which you really do not hear about is .vbs and .vbe files. Unless they are absolutely needed remove the assoceation with these 2 also. Most e-mail virus's are started this way. I for one have never had an e-mail virus because I remove these file assocations for these file types.

Answer 2

An active-X control is an executable just like any other program that you download. And just like any other downloaded program, active-X can be used for good or bad.

Some website's active-X can deliever to your computer spyware and adware, often by misleading the visitor into downloading an active-X control that the website claims is necasary for the site to "work".

Only let active-X be downloaded from reputable websites that you trust 110% and never allow any active-X control to be downloaded that is not "Signed". Always err on the side of caution when downloading or allowing the use of active-X controls.

And never lower your Internet Explorer security settings in the Internet Zone below the default settings.