ActiveX

Overview Most PC users have probably heard the term ActiveX. But what is ActiveX and what does it do? Is it a security risk? What happens when I visit a Web site that includes ActiveX controls? These questions and more are answered in the links below.

General Information ActiveX is a complex technology. The term itself applies to a set of object-oriented technologies and tools typically used to develop networking and Internet-aware software. Visit the Webopedia.com ActiveX page to read their definition, and link to sites and tutorials for ActiveX. This MSDN Web page contains a thorough introduction to ActiveX controls, offering both general and advanced topics. Visit  the Web page entitled “ActiveX and More…What Beginners can do with ActiveX and a Little Imagination!” for an excellent place to get your “feet wet” with various step-by-step instructions for creating specific ActiveX controls. 

ActiveX Resources The most common types of ActiveX resources found online are learning guides (such as tutorials and FAQs), and component download galleries. To find ActiveX learning guides, visit the Web site www.webdeveloper.com/activex/. It’s a good starting point and it will also point you to other sites with ActiveX tutorials. The FAQ page at www.widgetware.com/FAQs.htm provides an extensive list of FAQs about ActiveX-related topics. Follow the link www.shorrock.u-net.com/activex.html to visit a very comprehensive guide to ActiveX resources on the Internet.

Many Web sites offer downloads of both free and commercial ActiveX components. Choose from the following list of Web pages to read information about downloading ActiveX components.

• activex.microsoft.com/
• www.download.com/
• http://www.programfiles.com/

ActiveX and Security Issues To many people, ActiveX represents a significant security dilemma because applications developed with ActiveX can access devices and information stored on a PC. While this technology can merge PC applications with the Web, it also makes PCs connected to the Web vulnerable to malicious applications or clever hackers. A common ActiveX security issue in recent times is  internet spyware. This webpage,  "www.adoko.com/activex.html", addresses issues with ActiveX and and its relationship to spyware.  Read the article "Security Tradeoffs: java vs. ActiveX" from the Princeton Secure Internet Programming Team  to find out more about this ActiveX security dilemma. The 1997 article “A Comparison Between Java and ActiveX Security” by David Hopwood still offers another excellent look at both Java and ActiveX security issues.