How to Understand Activex Controls Internet Setup
ActiveX controls are the building blocks for certain web-based applications that authorize when and how certain programs are run during an Internet session. ActiveX is commonly used in Microsoft Internet Explorer to run applets and other applications within the browser; however, users have the option to disable or enable certain features of ActiveX to have better control of their web experience and reduce the risk of unauthorized software or virus downloads.
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Instructions
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Launch Internet Explorer. Double click the Internet Explorer icon and begin an Internet session.
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Access the ActiveX controls. Select 'Tools' from the top right corner of the browser, and choose Internet Options from the drop-down menu. You will need to select the Security tab, then Custom level to access the ActiveX controls options.
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Decide how you want to allow previously unused ActiveX controls to run. Select the Disable or Enable radio button to indicate if you want all ActiveX controls to run during your web session.
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Indicate how you want to allow Scriptlets. Scriptlets are similar to Java applets and allow you to run certain scripts during an Internet session. You have the option to Disable, Enable or receive a Prompt with the radio buttons in this section of the ActiveX controls panel.
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Decide if you want automatic prompting for ActiveX controls. Automatic prompting would cause a pop-up window to appear every time an ActiveX application is detected. Select the Disable or Enable radio button, according to your preference.
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Initiate binary and script behaviors. You have the option to disable these entirely, or select 'Administrator approved' which would require you to define which behaviors are acceptable for all sessions.
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Decide if you want to display video and animation on a web page that does not use an external media player. Some websites launch a media player within the browser automatically, but corrupt sites may cause a problem during this launch process. You can have better control over what is displayed by selecting the 'Disable' radio button.
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Decide if you want to download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls. The recommended choice here is the Prompt because it is more secure and gives you control over what you download. Selecting Enable will download all signed and unsigned ActiveX controls automatically. Disable will stop all downloads from occurring.
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Indicate if you want to initialize ActiveX controls not marked as safe. For security reasons, the best option here is to Disable or Prompt this behavior. Enabling this feature may leave you vulnerable for downloading a virus or corrupt files.
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Indicate how you want to run ActiveX controls and plug-ins. You have four options with this behavior; Administrator approved, Disable, Enable or Prompt. Prompt or Administrator approved offer the most security.
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Determine if you want to run scripts for ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting. These controls have been deemed safe by Microsoft, but you still have the option to Disable or Prompt to run this behavior.
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Confirm changes. Select OK, then restart Internet Explorer to make all changes.
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Tips & Warnings
Enabling and disabling certain functions of ActiveX controls gives you better control and more security during an Internet session. Selecting 'Prompt' for most ActiveX controls offers maximum security.
None of the changes will take effect until you restart Internet Explorer. Close all browser windows except the one you are working in when changing your Security Settings.
