What is 'ActiveX' ? Is it a virus, spyware, adware..most of all is it harmless or malevolent?

Question

What is 'ActiveX' ? Is it a virus, spyware, adware..most of all is it harmless or malevolent?

Answer 1

active X controls are installed by websites and windows to make things work but some are spys and trojans used to take over the computer always open the more info box and check for certificates and make sure the fire wall in the computer is on at least medium and run anti spyware scans yahoos is free and the malicious soft ware removal tool from windows is free save to desktop and re instal each month after the middle of the month ok  

Answer 2

If you are talking about these once :

Video ActiveX Codec

Video Activex Object Error

Flash Activex Object Error

Then YES! it is a fake codec that has a Trojan inside:

http://www.pcthreat.com/parasitebyid-670...

Answer 3

Activex...it REALLY depends on where you get it.

If you're downloading it off of a trusted site (Adobe,neopets,ect.)then it should be fine.

NEVER download ActiveX from ANY p**n sites or hacking sites...they'll ALWAYS damage you,no exceptions.

Answer 4

ActiveX is a program builder within Internet Explorer which expands the ability of your web browser.  It allows for interactive web sites, storage of web information, and other features.  It works by allowing web sites to place small programs on your computer which do the "extras".  As with an program, an ActiveX add on can be good or bad.  You will need to decide whether you trust the site enough to allow it to add the program to your computer (99% of them are harmeless).

If it is a well known and popular site, it is probably safe to allow the ActiveX to install.  If it is a p**n site, a hacker site, or some place you know nothing about, block the install.  Often the site will function without it (just may not have all the fancy features working right).

If in doubt, block the ActiveX.

Answer 5

ActiveX controls are small program building blocks that can be used to create distributed applications that work over the Internet through web browsers. Examples include customized applications for gathering data, viewing certain kinds of files, and displaying animation.

ActiveX controls can be compared in some sense to a Java applet, since both are designed to be downloaded and executed from web browsers. However, there are few differences. Java applets can run on nearly any platform, while ActiveX components are only compatible with Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser and the Microsoft Windows operating system. ActiveX controls are also granted a much higher level of control over Windows than Java applets, making them both more powerful and dangerous. Malware, such as computer viruses and spyware, is often distributed as ActiveX controls in webpages.

ActiveX controls can be written in MFC, ATL, C++, C#, Borland Delphi and Visual Basic. Common examples of ActiveX controls are the command button, list box, dialog boxes, and even the Internet Explorer browser.

Go to -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActiveX

Will give you all of the details!

As per whether they are harmless... it depends on the writer of the file.  They could of put a trojan into the ActiveX control to do something other than what you thought it was intended for.

If you get them from legitimate sites, you will be fine.  If you get them from say p**n Sites, you might be asking for problems!