How to Have IE 7 Prompt for Installing Active X

ActiveX are browser programs that enable you to download programs and applications and install updates and security tools. ActiveX controls can also be very dangerous especially if a malicious website downloads them to your computer. Hackers and attackers use them to install malicious programs such as adware secretly on your computer. To prevent any ActiveX control from downloading on your computer without your approval, it is important to enable ActiveX download prompting.

Instructions

1. Launch Internet Explorer 7 and click the "Tools" menu located on the top of the browser. If you cannot see the Tools menu, right click the toolbar on the top and click "Menu Bar." You should now see the Tools menu. Click it and click "Internet Options" to launch the Internet Options window.

2. Click the "Security" tab, then click the "Internet Zone." Click the "Custom Level" button to launch the Security Settings window.

3. Scroll down the Security Settings window to the "ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins" section. Select "Enable" under "Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls." Select "Enable" under "Binary and script behaviors."

4. Select "Prompt" under the "Download unsigned ActiveX controls" option. Select "Prompt" under "Run ActiveX controls and plugins." Select "Prompt" under "Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked safe." Click "Enable" under "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins." Click "Enable" under "Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting."

5. Click "Enable" under "Automatic prompting for file downloads" and click "Enable" under "File Download." Click "OK" to save the changes and click "OK" again to close Internet Options.

References

• liveonline.utk.edu: Access Active X Settings