What kind of program is activex? Features of the ActiveX add-on. Difference between Java applets and ActiveX controls

Many users come across the concept of Active X, but do not know its meaning. Let us finally try to clarify what this strange word means.

What is ActiveX

Asset X is a platform that helps identify utility elements that can be used. Typically these components are written in different programming languages. It was created specifically for software distribution via the global network.

This platform was introduced in 1996 by Microsoft. It is still widely used on the Windows system, although it is not tied to it.

Using this platform applications are created, which can work through a browser, through a client-server application. This platform is most often used by attackers, using control elements to force an inexperienced user to download an unrecommended or virus-infected application onto their computer.

Asset X consists of many components - buttons, windows, lists, etc., as well as uses such languages, like Delphi, C++, .NetFramework and others that have support for the Component Object model.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Main disadvantage technology is that one owns the means to use it browser onlyExplorer. And also there is no possibility of implementing this technology in public networks World Wide Web.

However there are also advantages. ActiveX is increasingly being developed on intranets. Active X provides a lot of control tools for solving many problems, constructing full-featured diagrams and data tables.

What is the difference between Java and Active X

In principle, above we looked at the main differences between the platform and java applets. The fact is that solving many problems using Java would require the developer to exert enormous effort, while with the help of Active X technology everything can be solved much faster.

Another difference of this technology is that the role of ActiveX is virtual machine Java, any Java utility will run. It will be both open independently and at the same time serve as one of the components for the platform.

Dangers of use

This platform does not enter no restrictions on the actions of control elements. Instead, each element should contain developer's signature, who undertakes not to include viruses or similar files in the distributed utility. Therefore, if a user downloaded an unsigned component onto their computer that destroyed their system, the blame rests squarely on their shoulders.

How to install ActiveX (for Internet Explorer)

You need to open your browser Internet Explorer, and then go to any site using this technology. Then the user will be asked about the need to install platform elements. If you click on the inscription at the top of the page, then in context menu there will be a request – Install ActiveX Control. Clicking the button will install the component.

It is officially impossible to download ActiveX for Windows 7, 8, 10, since they are built into Internet Explorer.

How to enable or disable Active X in Internet Explorer

Now go to the “Service” tab and open “”.

Then go to the “Security” tab and click on the “ Another».

Scroll through the page in the window that appears until you see the menu “ ElementsActive X" Then click on the circles, as shown in the figure below.

ActiveX Filtering

Platform filtering helps to detect the installation of suspicious applications in a timely manner and prevent the browser from using them. To enable it, you need to go to the “Service” tab, select “Security”, and click the “ FiltrationActive X».

If a checkbox appears opposite the item, it means you did everything correctly. If you want to disable it, then also click on this item and the checkbox will disappear.

In addition, you can remove the filter for certain sites. To do this, open the desired site and click on the filter icon. And turn off the filter.

Security Settings

In addition to the filter, you can adjust security settings and determine for yourself which program the computer will download and which you will prohibit. To do this, go to browser properties and security tab.

Using the slider in the menu " Security level for this zone» you can set the appropriate level.

Technology in other browsers

IN Opera This technology is not supported. But there is a special plugin OperaActiveXplugin, with which you can install this platform in the Opera browser.

Also in the Google store specifically for the browser Google Chrome There is an IETab application that needs to be downloaded and launched. Then ActiveX technology will work in this browser.

To install the platform on Mozilla Firefox, it is also recommended to download the IETab application. Since all these browsers do not have built-in Active X platforms, except IE.

You can check whether support really works on a special page - if the calendar is displayed, then everything is working.

How to fix ActiveX errors

If the site always gives an error that the Active X component was not loaded, then you must first try to reload it using buttonsCtrl+ F5 . If it doesn’t help, then add it to safe. How this is done was shown above. Or go to the service - Internet Options - click on the "other" button and find "Active X Elements" then scroll through them and mark them, which are shown in the figure below:

If the error “Internet Explorer blocked the attempt” pops up ActiveX installations", then try reduce security browser or do the following steps, which are indicated in the figure below.

Open the IE browser properties, go to security and click “Other”, find the “Active X elements” item and check the “Z” checkbox launch ActiveX controls and connection modules».

Modern browsers are quite flexible programs that can be easily customized to the user's needs. This is done with the help of plugins - special routines that expand the capabilities of these same browsers. If you want your web browser to be able to play videos from the Internet and various flash elements, you need to install a special flash player. In the case of Internet Explorer, this role is taken over by the ActiveX plugin, which will be discussed further.

Features of the ActiveX add-on

Flash Player ActiveX is an extension for Internet browser Explorer (IE), which allows you to play video elements on the Internet. The main feature of ActiveX technology is the presence of special controls that are actively used when creating web pages, which allows, if necessary, to load a video or audio player to play media information.

Typically, ActiveX comes with the IE browser, but if the web browser does not have this extension, then when loading a web page that requires ActiveX, the user will be notified about it.

How to install the plugin?

1. 1. Open Internet Explorer, go to the tab Service, where select Internet Options.

1. 1. In the window that appears, click on Safety, where click on Another.

1. 1. You will see a list of various components. Scroll through this list until you find the menu ActiveX controls and plugins. Enter this menu.
   2. Next, set the triggers as shown in the screenshot.

1. After these steps, confirm changes made and reboot the computer.

Ready. The ActiveX element is configured and ready to use. Now you can safely watch videos and play music in your Internet Explorer.

Elements Microsoft management® ActiveX® may pose a security risk in some cases because it can spread malicious code or viruses (especially if your computer does not have all the necessary security settings configured).

For example, if an unsigned ActiveX control is loaded from a Web page and the browser security level is not set on the computer Microsoft Internet Explorer High or Medium, the ActiveX control will launch without warning. If this item contains a virus or other malicious code, the operation of the operating system may be disrupted and the data contained on the computer may be damaged.

This article provides information about what ActiveX controls are and how to avoid problems associated with installing and using untested controls.

What is an ActiveX control

Essentially, an ActiveX control is an OLE or COM object. An ActiveX control is a program that is automatically registered in the system registry when it is first launched.

An ActiveX control can be as simple as a text box or as complex as a series of dialog boxes. In some cases, an ActiveX control can be as complex as a small application. ActiveX modules are used as controls on web pages, as third-party add-ons for large applications, and as plug-ins. From this perspective, ActiveX controls are similar to Java applications, Netscape plug-ins, and executable scripts. However, the advantage of ActiveX over other programming capabilities is that ActiveX controls can be used in applications written in a variety of languages, including all base programming languages. Microsoft data and management of them.

ActiveX controls are not stand-alone solutions. They can only be launched from parent applications such as Internet Explorer, Microsoft applications Visual Basic®, Visual C++® development environment or Visual Basic for Applications and so on. ActiveX modules make it easy to distribute specialized controls over the network and integrate these controls into Web browsers. ActiveX controls can provide information about themselves to the applications that use them.

ActiveX controls can be executed as web page scripts. This means that you can create or purchase an ActiveX module that is a control user interface or interface element graphics device(Graphics Device Interface, GDI) and then control it by programming its algorithm in a scripting language (such as VBScript or JavaScript™).

Security settings related to initializing ActiveX controls

On the page Specify Office Security Settings The Custom Installation Wizard and Custom Maintenance Wizard provide four levels of security for ActiveX controls:

• Don't configure

The MST or CMW file does not change the security settings configured on the user's computer. New applications are installed with the default security level.

• Prompt user to use control defaults

Before initializing an ActiveX control, the user is warned that the control's code may not be safe to execute. If the user trusts the document source and confirms this, the ActiveX control is initialized with default settings that disable the ActiveX control's ability to use and store persistent data. This ensures that the control always starts with default settings, thereby reducing the possibility of problems arising from erroneous computer settings or malicious attacks. If this security level is set, a warning is given to the user when running the ActiveX control, but the warning can still be ignored.

• Prompt user to use persisted data

Before initializing an ActiveX control, the user is warned that the control's code may not be safe to execute. If the user trusts the source of the document and confirms this, the ActiveX control is initialized using the associated data that was previously saved. If this security level is set, there is a possibility of viruses entering the system when using an ActiveX control.

• Do not prompt

The ActiveX control can be launched with the default configuration. When this security level is set, the ActiveX control can use data stored in previous sessions, and the user does not receive any notifications or warnings.

Administrators' use of these security settings in the Custom Installation Wizard or Custom Maintenance Wizard provides additional control over the execution of potentially dangerous ActiveX control code on client computers. To receive additional information For system registry entries related to the security settings discussed, see the article How System Policies Work on the web page.

Code signing

Because ActiveX controls can access core operating system services, you must ensure that the control you launch is not malware. It helps to perform such a check Microsoft technology Authenticode®, which allows the developer to confirm the reliability of the ActiveX control he creates. This procedure is called code signing and allows users to identify the author of a program before giving permission to install or run it.

If you have ever used unsigned or unrecognized ActiveX controls while using Internet Explorer, you may have seen dialog boxes reporting that:

• The control is not signed
• Element initialization is unsafe
• Element is not safe for scripting

ActiveX controls downloaded from the Internet can perform the same actions as regular program– for example, deleting files and registry entries. In case using Java this issue is resolved by limiting the actions that the Java applet is allowed to perform on files and the system registry. For example, a Java application cannot directly access file system computer. ActiveX controls take a different approach: first, you need to authenticate the author of the ActiveX control, second, you need to verify that the contents of the ActiveX control have not been modified since it was signed, and third, you need to ensure that execution The ActiveX control is safe. Thanks to this approach, ActiveX controls can take full advantage of the operating system, but in order for the developer to be able to guarantee security when working with these controls, he must go through a rigorous process of obtaining trust certificates issued by certification authorities.

Installing ActiveX Controls

If a user tries to install and run an unregistered ActiveX control downloaded from the Internet, Internet Explorer checks to see if the control contains a digital signature. If the ActiveX control file (OCX file) has a trust certificate that has already been accepted by the user and is considered trusted, the file can be installed and registered with the system. Depending on the security level set for Internet Explorer, the user is prompted to install an ActiveX control if the system does not contain their certificate information. If the user decides to install an ActiveX control, system registry information about the certificate associated with this element is recorded.

If an OCX file is part of an application installed from a CD or other local source, the certificate (if one exists) associated with that file is not verified. In this case, the control file is assumed to be associated with an application that is trusted to install, and the OCX file registration proceeds without any additional checks.

Once a control is installed on a user's computer, it is considered trusted, even if it was not originally installed. digital signature; When running it, no dialog boxes with information about code signing are displayed.

Signing ActiveX Controls

In order to digitally sign an ActiveX control, you need to obtain a certificate from a certification authority (information about certification authorities can be found at search engines on the Internet). To sign an ActiveX control, you must follow the instructions of your chosen certification authority.

Certificate Authorities provide certificates of varying levels of trust, ranging from individual certificates to corporate certificates. Review information about each CA to decide which one best suits your needs.

Determining the Security of ActiveX Controls

The digital signature is an integral part of the ActiveX control. Thus, the ActiveX control always contains reliable information about its purpose provided by the developer. However, the ActiveX control is only safe to use when it is used under the conditions in which it was tested.

ActiveX controls that are marked as safe are assumed to be safe under all possible conditions of use. Therefore, an element marked as safe for scripting (SFS) or safe for initialization (SFI) must be protected from unpredictable behavior that may not have been intended by the developer when writing the script. Although it is relatively easy for a developer to create an ActiveX control that is safe from misuse, it is impossible to guarantee that the control will always be safe when used in scripts written by another developer.

By marking an ActiveX control as safe for scripting or initialization, developers are declaring that no matter how the control is initialized, it will not harm the system or compromise its security.

Before marking an ActiveX control as safe, the developer must be completely sure that the control is, in fact, safe. For example, for each ActiveX control you need to ensure that:

• Indexes do not exceed array boundaries, and there are no other memory errors that could lead to memory leaks or corruption.
• All input data is checked and adjusted, including initialization parameters, method parameters, and property setting functions (using I/O tolerance and data protection methods).
• All user data, as well as all data entered by the user, are used correctly and for their intended purpose.
• The application has undergone comprehensive and thorough testing.

ActiveX controls are some kind of small applications with which sites are able to display video content as well as games. On the one hand, they help the user interact with the content of web pages, but on the other hand, ActiveX controls can be harmful, since sometimes they may not work entirely correctly, and other users can use them to collect information about your PC, causing damage Your data and other malicious activities. Therefore, the use of ActiveX should be justified in any browser, including Internet Explorer.

ActiveX filtering in Internet Explorer 11 (Windows 7)

Control filtering in Internet Explorer 11 allows you to prevent the installation of suspicious applications and prevent sites from using these programs. To implement ActiveX filtering, you must perform the following sequence of actions.

It is worth noting that ActiveX filtering may not display some interactive content on sites.

• Open Internet Explorer 11 and click the Tools gear icon on the right top corner(or the key combination Alt+X). Then in the menu that opens, select Security and click ActiveX Filtering. If everything worked out, a checkbox will appear opposite this list item

Accordingly, if you need to disable filtering of controls, this flag will need to be cleared.

You can also remove ActiveX filtering only for certain sites. To do this you need to follow these steps.

• Open the site for which you want to enable ActiveX
• In the address bar, click on the filter icon
• Next, click the Disable ActiveX Filtering button

Configuring ActiveX Settings in Internet Explorer 11

• In Internet Explorer 11, click the Tools gear icon in the upper right corner (or the Alt+X key combination) and select Internet Options

• In the Internet Options window, go to the Security tab and click the Other... button.

• In the Settings window, find ActiveX controls and their plugins

• Make the settings as you wish. For example, to enable the option Automatic requests ActiveX controls and click Enable

It is worth noting that if you cannot change the settings of ActiveX controls, you must enter the PC administrator password

Due to increased security, Internet Explorer 11 does not allow you to run ActiveX controls, but if you are confident in the site, you can always change these settings.

We are glad that we were able to help you solve the problem.

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How to install ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer

ActiveX elements are special components (programs, applications) that are used to create websites optimized for the Internet Explorer browser. In essence, these are unique programs that run directly in the browser.

Why do these elements only work with Internet Explorer?

Internet browser Internet Explorer is a standard browser for Internet surfing, which comes “in the package” with the operating system Windows system. The peculiarity of its work is that it uses the same files as the OS itself, which means that IE and OS Windows are closely related to each other. All this allows you to speed up the operation of the surfing tool and create minimal load on the system.

For proper operation ActiveX requires the same files that IE uses in order for component codes to be processed directly by the system. Yes, it’s hard to imagine, especially for novice users, but this is exactly how this system works.

Advantages and disadvantages of technology

Advantages

• the ability to create programs in different languages;
• the software does not require installation, since all applications run directly in the browser;
• a wide variety of components using this frame.

Flaws

Since elements rely on the operating system to process their code, this component is not always considered secure.

As a result, this technology is very often used to create malicious code and this should be kept in mind.

How to install?

If the Internet resource contains ActiveX controls, a request will appear in the IE window (The site... requires the installation of ActiveX controls. Click here to install...):

Detailed installation instructions

In order to install ActiveX controls, you need to perform a number of operations in Internet Explorer:

Internet Explorer, despite all the negative feedback about it, is a pretty good tool for surfing the Internet. However, remember that it requires configuration and installation of additional components, including ActiveX.

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Installing Activex in Internet Explorer

ActiveX are specialized components that are separate programs and applications that allow the consumer to create websites of any level of complexity. The ActiveX.com element can only be embedded in one browser - Internet Explorer. To be specific, the component consists of many specific applications that can be launched only in one, previously specified Internet browser. Despite the fact that most modern users World Wide Web complain about slow loading and not the most good functionality Explorer, embeddable elements can provide many benefits, so you need to know how to enable ActiveX.com.

Program elements can be launched in the Internet browser itself

Internet Explorer is the only browser that does not require additional installation. A software product intended for Internet surfing is installed on the user’s computer together with Windows OS. Its advantage over other standard programs is that during operations it uses files that are “taken” by the operating system. Collaboration Internet Explorer and Windows eliminate errors that may occur during the operation of other standard utilities. In fact, this relationship significantly speeds up the work of the web browser, while minimally loading the system.

Before you enable a custom component, you should know that certain files, identical to those used by Internet Explorer 11, help eliminate or correct errors in the operation of the tool. Compliance with this simple condition determines the direct processing of the embedded component codes by the operating system.

Pros and cons of the implemented product

If you install ActiveX.com, the user of the software product will be able to:

• create different software applications in several languages;
• don't waste time on additional installation sets additional applications, since product components can be launched directly in the web browser itself;
• use a huge number of modern components that use this frame.

The main disadvantage of the add-on is considered to be its main advantage, since the programs used in the process of processing codes draw resources from the OS itself. In this case, various errors may appear, which cannot always be corrected safely.

Before installing ActiveX.com on your computer, the consumer should know that this component is often used by hackers and unscrupulous programmers to create viruses with malicious codes.

Installing the application

You can install the component in Internet Explorer 11 in just a few minutes. To do this, first open the main window of your web browser and find the request “Site” in the list of tabs. The user will be notified of the need to additionally install program elements. To add a software product, the user will be shown a place to click on. Next you will have to carry out several simple procedures.

IN open window web browser, you need to find the main menu, in which there is the word “Service”, click on “Internet Options”. After this, the corresponding properties window will open. On the “Security” tab, you must press the “Other” button located at the very bottom of the list.

In the security settings window open to the user, a huge list with many different actions will be displayed. In the list you need to find “ActiveX controls” and enable them.

After agreeing to all manipulations carried out by the system, you should confirm everything with the “Ok” button and restart the web browser. To correct possible errors A complete reboot of the operating system will help.

Conclusion

Installing the Activex application in the browser is quite simple; even an inexperienced user who is just beginning to understand the operating principle of the OS and embedded components can handle it. It should be noted that Explorer 11 is considered a very effective tool for Internet surfing. The installation will help optimize and ensure its uninterrupted operation. additional programs and applications.

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Installing the ActiveX component on Windows 7

The ActiveX module is enabled by default Windows environment, starting with "seven". However, it happens that for some reason it stops working and users have to look for how to install Activex on Windows 7.

Internet Explorer

Most convenient way activate the Internet page script control module - use the properties of the Internet Explorer browser. It is a standard Windows browser and does a number of things important functions, so the idea to remove Internet Explorer (if you have one) can hardly be called successful.

Important! To install ActiveX, you must have administrator rights, as it is an important component that has a serious impact on the system.

Confirm these steps by clicking “Ok” in the window that appears, and then exit Internet Options, applying the new security configuration.

Group Policy Editor

Another way to activate the web page scripting module is to use the editor group policies.

If you want to specify specific Internet pages where ActiveX components are allowed to run, right-click on “Websites allowed for installation” and select “Edit.”

Set it to Enable and then click the Show button in the URLs field.

Enter the URL of the resources and click "OK" to save them.

Download from the site

Sometimes the specific site you are visiting suggests installing controls. Make sure the page clearly states why you need to add the required components.

If you doubt the integrity of the site owners and are afraid that you will install malicious applications instead of controls, then it is better to immediately abandon this idea so that you do not have to remove viruses from your computer later.

Make sure that the Active X components are being served to you on behalf of a trusted resource. Simply put, if a site requires the installation of controls to function correctly, then it should be the program supplier.

If you are sure that you are using a trusted portal that provides you with a correctly working software, then agree to the installation by clicking the “Install” button.

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ActiveX - what is it? How to install an ActiveX control?

Today, if not everyone, then certainly the vast majority of users of modern computer systems know, or at least have heard, about the concept of ActiveX. We will try to figure out what it is and what such technologies are used for. Let's look at the most basic aspects, without going too much into technical issues.

ActiveX: what is it? The simplest concepts

In order not to burden the unprepared user with unnecessary technical terms, we will consider ActiveX technologies in a way that is understandable to everyone. ActiveX controls are actually small programs, from which a programmer or website creator can create many interesting designs as blocks.

Initially, it was believed that such elements (also called add-ons) were used solely to add certain resources World Wide Web sets additional features and were supported only by “natives” Windows browser called Internet Explorer (use of programs in different languages ​​in one browser, regardless of the development environment).

This is partly true. However, now many other control elements can also be classified as ActiveX technologies. What is this? The most simple example can be considered an addition in the form of a Flash player from the Macromedia corporation, which was at the origins of its creation.

Today this is the most common Adobe plugin ActiveX Player, more precisely Adobe Flash Player, which is able to integrate into almost all browsers known today. In addition to the Adobe corporation, which took the baton from Macromedia, there are many more developers of similar plug-ins, but their products, in comparison with this unique player, cannot be compared to any comparison, and therefore are simply unclaimed.

However, it is very difficult to call such elements programs in the usual sense, because it is simply impossible to launch them in the classical way (double-click). Their built-in codes are executed precisely in Internet browser environments.

The main area of ​​use of ActiveX controls (Windows 7, 8, etc.)

To make it clearer, let's consider several main aspects of the use of such technologies. For example, they allow, as mentioned earlier, to integrate audio or video players into the site. In other words, you can listen to music or watch a video directly on the site.

Please note that, as a rule, the program itself with the shell is not shown on the resource. Instead, either the sound is redirected to the audio system computer system, or a special window opens to view the video. It turns out that the element itself (add-on) works as if in background, hidden from the eyes of the user or site visitor.

The same goes for online games. Here, the Framework platform (4th or any other version) plays one of the key roles. Here it must be said that the .NET Framework is a unique development by Microsoft Corporation. However, Adobe ActiveX technologies in this case as if they complement the main platform and are responsible for opening or playing multimedia elements. This combination allows you to use various elements that were originally written in different programming languages ​​(C++, Delphi, Visual Basic, etc.).

In addition, the presence of the same element “Framework 4” (or higher - 4.5) is a prerequisite for the operation of many structural or control elements of sites, even in offline mode.

Difference between Java applets and ActiveX controls

Many people mistakenly classify Java applets as ActiveX controls. Yes, indeed, they are very similar, but there is one main difference.

The fact is that structures created using Java language, work on any platforms and in any operating systems, while ActiveX has a narrow focus exclusively on software products Microsoft.

Carefully! Viruses!

Unfortunately, nowadays you can find a lot of viruses on the Internet masquerading as elements such as Adobe Flash ActiveX. In this regard (since each element is downloaded directly to the browser and therefore to the computer when used), it is recommended to take into account some security measures.

The fact is that most users never really read messages about the offer to download and use this or that element and simply agree by clicking the “OK” button. This is fraught with consequences.

Separately, it is worth saying that in most cases, even standard antiviruses or Internet defenders are not always able to recognize such threats. So the installation of the same plugins in the form of Flash ActiveX should be done from official sources, roughly speaking, from the developer’s website, which guarantees complete safety in the use of this or that supplement.

Enable or disable ActiveX in Internet Explorer

Now a few words about how to properly configure the use of such add-ons in the Internet Explorer browser.

First you need to call the browser properties menu from the Control Panel or the service section in the browser itself, and then go to the security settings. At the bottom there is a button for the “Other” security level. Clicking on it takes us to the ActiveX settings menu.

In order not to catch any infection from the Internet, God forbid, you need to disable the loading of unsigned items and the use of elements marked as unsafe. Ideally, you should enable the item loading mode at the “Suggest” level.

General Security Settings

Don't forget about one more means of protection. This is a firewall, also called a firewall. As expected, it also has its own default security settings, however, for example, fans of online games can add some executable plugins to the so-called exclusion list. Again, only subject to complete and absolute confidence in their safety, as well as the absence of viruses on the sites from which they are downloaded.

And disabling the firewall, as some developers recommend doing for the correct operation of a particular online application or game, is not recommended at all. Otherwise, many people complain that there is a conflict between the application and the firewall. If you turn it off, the consequences cannot be avoided. In this case, no proactive protection from the antivirus will help.

Using ActiveX technologies in other browsers

The time when such add-ons were designed only for Internet Explorer is gone forever. Judge for yourself, because today Adobe ActiveX technology in the form of a Flash player is used in almost all browsers and is even, so to speak, an integral part of them.

Without this, it is impossible to imagine using the full capabilities of any Internet resource, be it music, video, three-dimensional graphics, games, online programs, etc.

However, if you look at it, by and large, of all the ActiveX elements and downloadable plugins known today, the most appropriate is to use only the Flash player, since almost all other add-ons and elements, to put it mildly, are either simply unnecessary or raise quite a lot of doubts about them security. After all, if you give permission to install a dubious element in the browser, all you can achieve is that a security hole will immediately appear, and it will be exploited by viruses, Trojans, worms, malicious codes or spyware.

And the saddest thing is that most browsers do not even have ActiveX control settings, and the ones used Windows settings They have absolutely nothing to do with third-party browsers. In other words, they do not apply to browsers.

Conclusion

So we briefly looked at the topic “ActiveX: what is it?” I would like to hope that the above material explained at least a little the principle of operation and use of such add-ons. Apparently, now it’s not difficult to guess how careful you need to be with these technologies, otherwise, it’s not even an hour, and the consequences for the entire computer system can be the most disastrous. In the case of Internet Explorer, it is better to use security modes above average (or even maximum), but in browsers from other developers you will have to think a hundred times before agreeing to install and use the elements offered by the site. The point is not only the potential threat, but also the fact that installing completely unnecessary plugins and controls, as a rule, affects the performance of the browser itself, and not for the better.

Today, if not everyone, then certainly the vast majority of users of modern computer systems know, or at least have heard, about the concept of ActiveX. We will try to figure out what it is and what such technologies are used for. Let's look at the most basic aspects, without going too much into technical issues.

ActiveX: what is it? The simplest concepts

In order not to burden the unprepared user with unnecessary technical terms, we will consider ActiveX technologies in a way that is understandable to everyone. In fact, ActiveX controls are small programs from which a programmer or website creator can create many interesting designs as blocks.

Initially, it was believed that such elements (also called add-ons) were used solely to add many additional capabilities to certain World Wide Web resources and were supported only by the “native” Windows browser called Internet Explorer (using programs in different languages ​​​​in one browser, regardless of the development environment).

This is partly true. However, now many other control elements can also be classified as ActiveX technologies. What is this? The simplest example can be considered an add-on in the form of a Flash player from the Macromedia corporation, which was at the origins of its creation.

Today this is the most common Adobe ActiveX Player plugin, or rather Adobe Flash Player, which is able to integrate into almost all browsers known today. In addition to the Adobe corporation, which took the baton from Macromedia, there are many more developers of similar plug-ins, but their products, in comparison with this unique player, cannot be compared to any comparison, and therefore are simply unclaimed.

However, it is very difficult to call such elements programs in the usual sense, because it is simply impossible to launch them in the classical way (double-click). Their built-in codes are executed precisely in Internet browser environments.

The main area of ​​use of ActiveX controls (Windows 7, 8, etc.)

To make it clearer, let's consider several main aspects of the use of such technologies. For example, they allow, as mentioned earlier, to integrate audio or video players into the site. In other words, you can listen to music or watch a video directly on the site.

Please note that, as a rule, the program itself with the shell is not shown on the resource. Instead, it either redirects the audio to the computer system's audio system or opens a special window to view the video. It turns out that the element itself (add-on) works as if hidden from the eyes of the user or site visitor.

The same goes for online games. Here, the Framework platform (4th or any other version) plays one of the key roles. Here it must be said that the .NET Framework is a unique development by Microsoft Corporation. However, Adobe ActiveX technologies in this case complement the main platform and are responsible for opening or playing multimedia elements. This combination allows you to use various elements that were originally written in different Delphi, Visual Basic, etc.).

In addition, the presence of the same element “Framework 4” (or higher - 4.5) is a prerequisite for the operation of many structural or control elements of sites, even in offline mode.

Difference between Java applets and ActiveX controls

Many people mistakenly classify Java applets as ActiveX controls. Yes, indeed, they are very similar, but there is one main difference.

The fact is that designs created using the Java language work on any platform and in any operating system, while ActiveX has a narrow focus exclusively on Microsoft software products.

Carefully! Viruses!

Unfortunately, nowadays you can find a lot of viruses on the Internet masquerading as elements such as Adobe Flash ActiveX. In this regard (since each element is downloaded directly to the browser and therefore to the computer when used), it is recommended to take into account some security measures.

The fact is that most users never really read messages about the offer to download and use this or that element and simply agree by clicking the “OK” button. This is fraught with consequences.

Separately, it is worth saying that in most cases, even standard antiviruses or Internet defenders are not always able to recognize such threats. So the installation of the same plugins in the form of Flash ActiveX should be done from official sources, roughly speaking, from the developer’s website, which guarantees complete safety in using this or that add-on.

Enable or disable ActiveX in Internet Explorer

Now a few words about how to properly configure the use of such add-ons in the Internet Explorer browser.

First you need to call the menu from the Control Panel or the service section in the browser itself, and then go to the security settings. At the bottom there is a button for the “Other” security level. Clicking on it takes us to the ActiveX settings menu.

In order not to catch any infection from the Internet, God forbid, you need to disable the loading of unsigned items and the use of elements marked as unsafe. Ideally, you should enable the item loading mode at the “Suggest” level.

General Security Settings

Don't forget about one more means of protection. This is a firewall, also called a firewall. As expected, it also has its own default security settings, however, for example, fans of online games can add some executable plugins to the so-called exclusion list. Again, only subject to complete and absolute confidence in their safety, as well as the absence of viruses on the sites from which they are downloaded.

And disabling the firewall, as some developers recommend doing for the correct operation of a particular online application or game, is not recommended at all. Otherwise, many people complain that there is a conflict between the application and the firewall. If you turn it off, the consequences cannot be avoided. In this case, no proactive protection from the antivirus will help.

Using ActiveX technologies in other browsers

The time when such add-ons were designed only for Internet Explorer is gone forever. Judge for yourself, because today Adobe ActiveX technology in the form of a Flash player is used in almost all browsers and is even, so to speak, an integral part of them.

Without this, it is impossible to imagine using the full capabilities of any Internet resource, be it music, video, three-dimensional graphics, games, online programs, etc.

However, if you look at it, by and large, of all the ActiveX elements and downloadable plugins known today, the most appropriate is to use only the Flash player, since almost all other add-ons and elements, to put it mildly, are either simply unnecessary or raise quite a lot of doubts about them security. After all, if you give permission to install a dubious element in your browser, you can only achieve that a security hole will immediately appear, and it is this hole that will be used by worms, malicious codes or spyware.

And the saddest thing is that most browsers do not even have settings for managing ActiveX controls, and the Windows settings used have absolutely nothing to do with third-party browsers. In other words, they do not apply to browsers.

Conclusion

So we briefly looked at the topic “ActiveX: what is it?” I would like to hope that the above material explained at least a little the principle of operation and use of such add-ons. Apparently, now it’s not difficult to guess how careful you need to be with these technologies, otherwise, it’s not even an hour, and the consequences for the entire computer system can be the most disastrous. In the case of Internet Explorer, it is better to use security modes above average (or even maximum), but in browsers from other developers you will have to think a hundred times before agreeing to install and use the elements offered by the site. The point is not only the potential threat, but also the fact that installing completely unnecessary plugins and controls, as a rule, affects the performance of the browser itself, and not for the better.