Microsoft created a programming language for website designers called ActiveX to make the static documents which are most web pages seem like CD-ROMS where the viewer could listen to music, watch videos, and interact with the program. For a reasonably short period of time ActiveX was used to brand Microsoft's overall object structure.
An ActiveX control is about the same in comparison to Java applet and takes the place of earlier object linking and embedding custom controls. Today's website designers are well informed in ActiveX control. Website designers create ActiveX controls in any programming language that uses Microsoft's Component Object Model.
ActiveX controls are used by website designers as part of Microsoft's comprehensive ActiveX set of technologies. Website designers install ActiveX controls that can be downloaded as small programs for web pages. The use of ActiveX controls reduces the time for website designers in development and increases the programs capability.
As with Java, website designers use ActiveX in a network setting such as the Internet because it allows software components to interact with each other even though they were written in different programming languages. Website designers use ActiveX on a web page so that a user can ask and answer questions, input using push buttons, and interact in a large amount of ways. Most website designers will use ActiveX to give the viewers a richer experience.
On the downside, website designers have found ActiveX controls to be fundamentally insecure. Through this insecurity, intruders may gain unauthorized access to a computer. Website designers and users must be careful how they use ActiveX as the insecurity of it allows applications to have full access to the operating system.
From this access, malicious elements could misuse the operating system and other related system resources. You should be careful at the time that you are allowing an ActiveX program or application to execute in your system. Once you download ActiveX, Internet Explorer keeps it in a folder on your computer. Anytime that a web page requires ActiveX or even just has an ActiveX control on the web page, Internet Explorer will run the ActiveX program without a user interface.
One of the problems of insecurity of ActiveX is that it can perform any task from your computer's hard drive memory, and doesn't need approval or denial from the user interface. ActiveX can delete files without even asking first, or cause problems sometimes causing crashes with Internet Explorer. A lot of Malware or spyware is downloaded as ActiveX controls. Close attention should be taken to what you download and how you configure ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer.
ActiveX is a very useful tool and the balance between security and convenience has to be looked at closely. Because of security concerns, many pc users switch from Internet Explorer to browsers that don't support ActiveX. Some of these other browsers are Firefox, Opera, and Netscape. Careful consideration should be made before switching any browser and questions should be asked to weigh out if that is the right choice for you.