Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: rosalind dna on 30/11/2008 22:07:28
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What is ActiveX?
I have seen it today when I twice ran my Windows Firewall
AV scan as it said that it had something to do with the site.
Also it comes up with the Anti-Spyware that I use as well.
Is it some sort of virus?
Thanks
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Active-X is legitimate feature of the Microsoft OS, but it can be exploited to deliver viruses and other malware via the internet.
When you consent to a request for "active-x control" you are giving over high level control of your computer to the website which has requested it, so you should only do so with websites you trust. You may have to adjust the settings on your browser so it will always ask your permission before allowing a website active-x control...
Safety Concerns with Active X
While Active X controls on a desktop environment are inherently safe, unfortunately there may be safety concerns when you come across Active X controls on the web. Some hackers create viruses, trojan horses and malware using Active X controls, if you happen to visit an untrustworthy site, your IE web browser might download these malicious Active X controls and activate them on your desktops creating serious security concerns. This problem can usually be solved very easily. Your IE web browser has the functionality of requesting permission before an Active X control is downloaded or activated. If you are on a web site that you don't know well, you can choose not to download or activate any Active X controls.
http://www.tech-faq.com/active-x-control.shtml
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Active X is a special system of Microsoft Corp. Operating system "Object code" interfacing service that use the Microsoft Active X registry classification with a .OCX file and a special unique CLASSID serial number to represent the desired .OCX object.
The .OCX object operates a little "alike a service or daemon" but is designed to be a program language coding "synonym" or "c tag like" method to adapt the result of its use to another intermediary language.
An example is a "file chooser .OCX object(open,save,save as)" for opening a file.
To assign in a compatible languages' syntax such as Java2 or .NET C# a particular "CLASSID" numer for the "file chooser .OCX object", the code will call "a previously compiled ready" .OCX(Active X object) file chooser and the base language used will not need to compile a file chooser of its own.
As much inside an HTML web browser and action Known as embedding a rectangular section called a window or document can be achieved by a compatibalised system of an .OCX to hold particular programs and allow interfacing with the browser, its data and javascript or VBscripting.
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What is an "Object Code" and the "OCX" I don't understand them as I've never heard of these previously.
I will watch out carefully and try to avoid ActiveX where possible
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An Active X object is best thought of as an add-in program like those toolbars e.g. "google toolbar" that can be downloaded for Internet Explorer.
.OCX is one of the main file-extensions used for Active X instruction files.
A .OCX file is used to contain the final finnished compiled instructions("Object Code") for an Active X object.
After it is compiled, a CLASSID for use to refer to the .OCX file to start the .OCX will relate to the exact specific .OCX file uniquely (generally from the OS's registry).
Note: The .OCX filename and its CLASSID require to be installed(registered) into the MS Windows Operating Systems' registry before they/it can be used/called by a program/application/Daemon/Service.
To repair problems with Active X easily, Norton has a system called WinDoctor in its Utilities applications.
I think there are special UNIX .OCX Active X objects but they only belong to mimmicked applications such a ASP web servers operating using Microsoft Specifications of Language.
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In layman's language, Active-X can be used to do just about anything on your PC. I've used it in browser-based applications to open Word documents or spreadsheets. That is what gives it the potential to be dangerous. Active-X can access your hard drive and do nasty things to it.
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In layman's language, Active-X can be used to do just about anything on your PC. I've used it in browser-based applications to open Word documents or spreadsheets. That is what gives it the potential to be dangerous. Active-X can access your hard drive and do nasty things to it.
Doc thanks and my present Anti-Spyware tool blocks Active X only
last time that I did an Windows AV/Firewall update it said that
it had Active X in it and that was new for me. Worrying as well.
If it's shown to be blocked on any site then I use the back button
and ignore the site where possible.
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Isn't it something to do with black power?
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Isn't it something to do with black power?
Paul that was a political thing not computer gremlins like
Active X or ISPs, websites etc.
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Isn't it something to do with black power?
Active X is Malcom X's nephew
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Active X creates just like Java (Sun) small code snippets to be downloaded and run on your computer instead of on the server. That makes the programs run so much faster for that Server 'up there' and for your computer the effort is negliable. Java (Sun) creates what they call 'sandboxes' to protect you from malicious code from third party programmers. those 'sandboxes' have restriction on what they can and can not do with your computer.
Microsofts solution was to allow all on your computer :) but to crave a digital signature of that third party programmer that hopefully would allow you to track him/her if malicious code was used, creating harm to you or/and your computer.
Both types are somewhat dangerous although I deem Active X the absolute worst solution as it allows any clumsy young guy (and yes, here I do say guy:) believing he is a 'master programmer' to f** up your computer.
I don't use active x at all, but java script and Java (Sun's) I do use but, nota bene, combined with ZoneAlarm (firewall) and avira antivirus (both free).
I find it a working combination (for now:)
Maybe i will change it now though ::))