How to Run ActiveX With Firefox

Users of Mozilla's Firefox Web browser may notice that the features on some websites do not work on their browser. This may be because Firefox doesn't use ActiveX, which allows various Windows programs to encapsulate and embed their functions into other programs, like web browsers. ActiveX was intentionally left out of Firefox by Mozilla, as there are many viruses and other malware that can be attached to ActiveX components. However, with the Neptune plug-in by MeadCo, Firefox users can make full use of ActiveX without worrying about compromising security.

Instructions

Installing Neptune

1. Follow the link to Neptune, provided in the Resources section.

2. Fill out the text fields with your First Name, Last Name and E-mail address and click "Continue."

3. Read the MeadCo End User License Agreement and click on "Accept and Proceed to the Download" at the bottom of the screen.

4. Click the "Download" button and select "Open" or "Run" from the download dialog. Otherwise, save the installer file to a known location on your computer, such as the desktop, and run it from there.

5. Open Mozilla Firefox and click "Tools," then "Add-ons." Check the "Plug-ins" tab to make sure Neptune is active on the list of plug-ins. You should now be able to view and script ActiveX controls using Mozilla Firefox.

Disabling Neptune

1. Open Mozilla Firefox, and click on "Tools."

2. Click on "Add-ons" in the "Tools" menu.

3. Locate "MeadCo's Neptune" in the "Plug-ins" tab and click on it.

4. Click on "Disable" to disable all Neptune functions. This will not remove or uninstall the plug-in, but simply deactivate it.

5. Click on "Enable" when you wish to reactive Neptune and ActiveX controls in your Firefox browser.

Testing ActiveX Controls

1. Follow the link in Resources to MeadCo's ScriptX Techie Example.

2. Click "Install" when prompted to run the ActiveX controls on the page.

3. Click to "Allow" or "Disallow" advanced printing options on the page. The correct loading of the page means that Neptune is functioning properly and your Firefox browser is displaying ActiveX controls.

Tips & Warnings

• Not everyone needs access to ActiveX Controls. ActiveX controls for Firefox are primarily useful for those who will be using script to embed ActiveX controls into Web content, or for those who need to access ActiveX content as part of a programs function. Casual Web users will likely have little need for ActiveX.

• Neptune has been tailored to fill in some of the security gaps ActiveX presents. ActiveX controls that run without any form of prompt are blocked, which is why users visiting PC Pitstop's ActiveX testing center will receive the message "ActiveX is not supported."

• ActiveX was deliberately left out of Firefox for security reasons. Viruses and other malware can be hidden in ActiveX controls that will run automatically and infect your computer. While Neptune promises built-in security against these weaknesses, understand that you still may be taking a risk with your computer.

References

• MeadCo's Neptune: About Neptune

Resources

• MeadCo's Neptune: Download
• MeadCo: ScriptX Techie Example