ActiveX

ActiveX is technology from Microsoft based on their Component Object Model by which Internet Explorer (IE) loads other applications into the browser. Through ActiveX, IE loads Windows Media Player, Flash, Quicktime, and other applications that can read files embedded in web pages. ActiveX programs are activated when you click an item such as a .WMV file on a web page to download it for display in your Internet Explorer browser window.

ActiveX controls can achieve a high level computer access and there are many cases of ActiveX malware programs. Internet Explorer has improved ActiveX security in a number of ways, and many of the security loopholes have been closed in IE 7. However, it is still relatively easy to download and activate a malicious ActiveX control on your computer.

You can see a list of the ActiveX controls installed on your computer (if you are using Microsoft Windows) by navigating to the "C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files" folder. 

Since ActiveX applies only to the Windows platform, it is unsuitable for Firefox which is available across multiple platforms. Currently, there is no mechanism by which you can use ActiveX controls in Firefox 2.0 or later. Firefox and other browsers that work on multiple operating systems use the Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface (NPAPI) system. NPAPI performs functions similar to those of ActiveX.

ActiveX programming

This spyware is a type of COM component, which can self-register, also known as an "ActiveX control". COM objects implement the "IUnknown" interface, but an ActiveX control can implement some of the standard interfaces for embedding, user interface, properties, methods, events, and persistence.

Because ActiveX components support OLE embedding interfaces, they can be included in a Website's pages. Since They're COM objects, they can be used with Visual Basic, Java, Visual C++, VBScript and other software languages.

ActiveX controls are components, which add in dynamic & interactive features to the pages of Websites. ActiveX tools add animation, multimedia effects, and other functional applications to Websites.

ActiveX controls usually are installed with user permission; but not always. Sometimes computer security can be circumvented. ActiveX components in the pages or a Website can run automatically when the Web pages are opened. Website visitors are sometimes fooled into accepting un-wanted ActiveX controls.

Unauthorized installation of ActiveX controls can allow spyware and other malware and viruses to install on a user's computer.