ActiveX

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 17 Jun 2004 2:43 pm

"Your current security settings prohibit running ActiveX controls...etc"
I've tried to reset security settings by clicking "enable" web pages that are not safe, but I can't seem to get ActiveX to work.
Any ideas?

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 18 Jun 2004 3:42 am

Tony,

I strongly suggest you change that particular setting back to "disable". You've just made your computer susceptible to about a bazillion exploits.

Never, ever, run an unsafe ActiveX control. Which, come to think of it, is an oxymoron.

Bill Bosler · Post by **Bill Bosler** » 18 Jun 2004 9:36 am

Jeff - What the h**l is activeX anyway?

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 18 Jun 2004 11:22 am

What the h**l is activeX anyway?

The official definition is that it's a set of Microsoft technologies that enables interactive content over the web.

To grossly oversimplify, ActiveX allows programs running on other computers or servers access to system-level functions on your computer. This is such a bad idea it boggles the mind. No other operating system has such a "feature" built-in by design. If I get access to system-level functions I own your machine. I might as well be sitting in front of it.

True, if I get root access on a UNIX box I own it, as well. But I can't do so by visiting a rogue web page or opening an e-mail, unlike ActiveX.

I started to post a link to sites that explain more about these exploits but they contain code that could be misused or might cause problems on an unsecured PC. The really determined folks can find it if they feel lucky.

As a practical matter, I allow no ActiveX (signed or unsigned) on my networks. If you insist on running it, be sure to disable running "unsafe" controls, as I recommended to Tony.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 19 Jun 2004 10:52 am

I allow exactly two ActiveX controls: Windows Media Player and Adobe Acrobat Reader. I trust those two.

If any web site asks for permission to install an ActiveX control, I close all browser windows immediately. I don't want or need any other ActiveX programs on my computer.

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<img align=left src="http://picturehost.net/b0b/ManzBob2.jpg" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 
System Administrator

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 21 Jun 2004 6:39 am

I've come across it twice...both times when trying to build a website from 2 different sources.
Unless I change the security settings, the sites don't allow me to work properly.?.