Microsoft’s Internet Explorer uses ActiveX technology to load programs in the browser through the use of ActiveX controls. Some of these more commonly known applications include Flash, Quicktime, and Media Player. These are some of the programs that can read the files that have been embedded in Web pages. Each time I click on an item existing on a Web page so that it loads for display, I am activating an ActiveX control. Numerous ActiveX controls exist since different ones are needed to accomplish different tasks. Some ActiveX controls perform minor tasks while others perform major ones.
Typically, the Website that I am using takes care of activating the ActiveX control for me. ActiveX controls are readily installed on any computer using a Windows operating system. In general, ActiveX controls create an interactive environment between computer users and Websites, often enhancing the experience. A wide assortment of Websites makes use of ActiveX controls on a regular basis. Therefore, it is quite common to be prompted to allow the installation of one of these controls while using Internet Explorer as my browser.
If I want to discover whether a specific ActiveX control is already installed on my computer, I can do a bit of simple sleuthing. I need to open my Internet Explorer browser and look under “tools.” Once I open the “tools” section, I need to navigate to “manage add ons.” Next, I navigate to “enable or disable add ons,” and a list of the add ons should appear. I can look through the list to see if any ActiveX controls are listed.
One example of an ActiveX control would be the Adobe ActiveX control. If it is listed and enabled, then I have that particular control installed. Since so many ActiveX controls exist, it would be difficult to have each and every one of them installed on a computer at any given time. This happens to be one of the reasons why an ActiveX control is typically installed at the time that it is needed.
Sometimes, these controls are not necessary and I will be able to browse the Web page almost as well without them. In other cases, this will not be true and I will need to have the control installed. If the ActiveX control that is required by the Website that I am visiting is already installed on my computer, then it is possible that it will simply perform its task. In general, whenever an ActiveX control that is new to my operating system is about to be introduced, I am given a warning or heads up as well as the opportunity to decide if I want to opt in or out of installing the control.
Internet Explorer will block an installation of ActiveX controls or a Website due to problems with the certificate that is attached to it. In that case, the ActiveX control is probably not a safe one that I want installed on my system.
Susan Keenan | June 8th, 2008
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