ActiveX uses an interesting method for enforcing security ... it doesn't.
Well, that's not exactly true. What happens is when a web page requests an
ActiveX control the browser determines if that control is already loaded
onto your system. If it is the ActiveX control is executed. If not, the user
is asked if it is okay to install the control. Additional information about
where the control came from and it's security implications is also included.

The theory behind this security model is the user knows what's best for his
system. In my humble opinion, this is pure hogwash (a stronger expletive
came to mind but this is a family site). Is your average web surfer really
knowledgeable enough to make a decision like this? Look at it this way, by
installing an ActiveX control you are assuming it is secure, won't damage
your system and is bug-free. You are basically trusting completely the
company which created the control, the developers and the people
distributing the image.

Yes there are security certificates involved, but those are relatively easy
to get. Also remember how many security problems have been reported
involving ActiveX controls.

I don't know about you, but when I get that little box stating a site wants
to install an ActiveX control, my first impulse is to hit the NO box,
quickly followed by the BACK key. This may seem a bit paranoid, but I use my
computer all day long and I depend upon it for business and pleasure. Why
would I want to put it at any risk for some silly little ActiveX control?
The web is a huge place and there are plenty of other sites to look at.

My advice to anyone is generally don't allow ActiveX controls to be
installed from anywhere except for really big sites like Microsoft. It's
just too difficult to judge how safe or unsafe the control happens to be.

How is this different from Java? Well, Java has an entirely different
security model which does not make the assumption that the user has been
educated about the specific Java applet. Java sets specific rules to what an
applet can and cannot do, and generally these rules do an excellent job of
preventing damage to a system (there have been bugs but no where near as
many as with ActiveX).

On top of the security concerns, ActiveX only works in Internet Explorer.
Yes, I know there is a plug in for Netscape but it's slow and not very
usable. Besides, most Netscape users don't have it installed.
If you are designing a web site, please consider this very carefully. If you
include ActiveX controls you are losing as many as 50 percent of your
visitors. Perhaps more, depending upon your market.
Is any functionality that you might gain worth that cost?

Of course, if you are creating an Intranet (a web local to a company) then
by all means use all of the ActiveX controls that you want. In this case,
you have far more control over the user environment that you have on the
web.

About the Author
Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets. This
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