What Are ActiveX Objects?
Microsoft's ActiveX technology generates a lot of confusion since the technology represents more of a commercial re-branding of a group of technologies already in use. The technology works around the concept of creating sets of code that can be accessed and used by multiple applications without the need to code the same thing over and over again in each application.
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Definition
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The ActiveX technology consists of two major components: ActiveX Objects and ActiveX Controls. ActiveX controls and ActiveX objects are easy to confuse, since they both contain the code that needs to be shared between applications. The difference is that, while the ActiveX object contains only the code which is to be used across multiple applications, an ActiveX control also comes with its own interface.
Background
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The ActiveX technology relies on two other technologies: Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) and Component Object Model (COM). None of these technologies are new and have been around since the development of the earliest versions of Microsoft Windows. The ActiveX technology appeared with the need to allow applications to share data not only with each other, but also with the Internet.
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Limitations
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Since the ActiveX technology is developed by Microsoft, it only works within its operating system, Microsoft Windows. The Internet integration is also limited to Microsoft's own Web browser, Internet Explorer. However, alternatives that are similar to ActiveX are available for other browsers too.
Considerations
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While ActiveX components included in applications are generally safe and can be easily detected by an anti-virus program if they contain malicious code, ActiveX controls used on the Internet can be very dangerous. Accepting the installation of an ActiveX object when prompted to do so will allow it to bypass the anti-virus and integrate into your operating system. To avoid this, always check the digital signature to make sure it comes from a trusted manufacturer.
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