Internet explorer activex elements. Installing the Flash applet for IE
Today, if not everyone, then certainly the vast majority of users of modern computer systems know, or at least have heard, about ActiveX concept. We’ll try to figure out what it is and what such technologies are used for. Let's look at the most basic aspects, without going too much into technical issues.
ActiveX: what is it? The simplest concepts
In order not to burden the unprepared user with unnecessary technical terms, let's consider ActiveX technologies so that everyone can understand it. ActiveX controls are actually small programs, from which a programmer or website creator can create many interesting designs as blocks.
Initially, it was believed that such elements (also called add-ons) were used solely to add certain resources World Wide Web sets additional features and were supported only by “natives” Windows browser entitled Internet Explorer(using programs on different languages in one browser regardless of the development environment).
This is partly true. However, now many other control elements can also be classified as ActiveX technologies. What is this? The most simple example can be considered an addition in the form of a Flash player from the Macromedia corporation, which was at the origins of its creation.
Today it is the most common Adobe ActiveX Player plugin, or rather Adobe Flash Player, which is able to integrate into almost all browsers known today. In addition to the Adobe corporation, which took the baton from Macromedia, there are many more developers of similar plug-ins, but their products, in comparison with this unique player, cannot be compared, and therefore is simply unclaimed.
However, it is very difficult to call such elements programs in the usual sense, because launching them in the classic way (double click) is simply impossible. Their built-in codes are executed precisely in Internet browser environments.
The main area of use of ActiveX controls (Windows 7, 8, etc.)
To make it clearer, let's consider several main aspects of the use of such technologies. For example, they allow, as mentioned earlier, to integrate audio or video players into the site. In other words, you can listen to music or watch a video directly on the site.
Please note that, as a rule, the program itself with the shell is not shown on the resource. Instead, either the sound is redirected to the audio system computer system, or a special window opens to view the video. It turns out that the element itself (add-on) works as if hidden from the eyes of the user or site visitor.
The same goes for online games. Here, the Framework platform (4th or any other version) plays one of the key roles. Here it must be said that the .NET Framework is a unique development by Microsoft Corporation. However, Adobe ActiveX technologies in this case as if they complement the main platform and are responsible for opening or playing multimedia elements. This link allows you to use various elements, which were originally written in different Delphi, Visual Basic etc.).
In addition, the presence of the same element "Framework 4" (or higher - 4.5) is prerequisite for the operation of many structural or control elements of sites, even offline.
Difference between Java applets and ActiveX controls
Many people mistakenly attribute Java applets to ActiveX controls. Yes, indeed, they are very similar, but there is one main difference.
The fact is that structures created using Java language, work on any platforms and in any operating systems, while ActiveX has a narrow focus exclusively on software products Microsoft.
Carefully! Viruses!
Unfortunately, nowadays you can find a lot of viruses on the Internet masquerading as elements such as Adobe Flash ActiveX. In this regard (since each element is downloaded directly to the browser and therefore to the computer when used), it is recommended to take into account some security measures.
The fact is that most users never really read messages about the offer to download and use this or that element and simply agree by clicking the “OK” button. This is fraught with consequences.
It is worth mentioning separately that in most cases even standard antiviruses or Internet defenders are not always able to recognize such threats. So the installation of the same plugins in the form of Flash ActiveX should be done from official sources, roughly speaking, from the developer’s website, which guarantees complete safety in the use of this or that supplement.
Enable or disable ActiveX in Internet Explorer
Now a few words about how to properly configure the use of such add-ons in Internet browser Explorer.
First you need to call the menu from the Control Panel or the service section in the browser itself, and then go to the security settings. At the bottom there is a button for the “Other” security level. Clicking on it takes us to the ActiveX settings menu.
In order not to catch any infection from the Internet, God forbid, you need to disable the loading of unsigned items and the use of elements marked as unsafe. Ideally, you should enable the item loading mode at the “Suggest” level.
General Security Settings
Don't forget about one more means of protection. This is a firewall, also called a firewall. As expected, there are also own settings security by default, however, for example, fans of online games can add some executable plugins to the so-called exclusion list. Again, only subject to complete and absolute confidence in their safety, as well as the absence of viruses on the sites from which they are downloaded.
And disabling the firewall, as some developers recommend doing for the correct operation of a particular online application or game, is not recommended at all. Otherwise, many people complain that there is a conflict between the application and the firewall. If you turn it off, the consequences cannot be avoided. In this case, no proactive protection from the antivirus will help.
Using ActiveX technologies in other browsers
The time when such add-ons were designed only for Internet Explorer is gone forever. Judge for yourself, because today Adobe ActiveX technology in the form of a Flash player is used in almost all browsers and is even, so to speak, an integral part of them.
Without this, it is impossible to imagine using the full capabilities of any Internet resource, be it music, video, three-dimensional graphics, games, online programs, etc.
However, if you look at it, by and large, of all the ActiveX elements and downloadable plugins known today, it seems the most appropriate to use only the Flash player, since almost all other add-ons and elements, to put it mildly, are either simply unnecessary or raise quite a lot of doubts about them security. After all, if you give permission to install a dubious element in the browser, you can only achieve that a security hole will immediately appear, and this is what the worms will exploit, malicious codes or spyware.
And the saddest thing is that most browsers do not even have ActiveX control settings, and the ones used Windows settings They have absolutely nothing to do with third-party browsers. In other words, they do not apply to browsers.
Conclusion
So we briefly looked at the topic “ActiveX: what is it?” I would like to hope that the above material explained at least a little the principle of operation and use of such add-ons. Apparently, it is now not difficult to guess how careful you need to be with these technologies, otherwise, never mind, the consequences for the entire computer system can be the most disastrous. In the case of the Internet Explorer is better use security modes above average (or even maximum), but in browsers from other developers you will have to think a hundred times before agreeing to install and use the elements offered by the site. The point is not only the potential threat, but also the fact that installing completely unnecessary plugins and controls, as a rule, affects the performance of the browser itself, and not for the better.
ActiveX is a technology on the basis of which components for programming websites for Internet Explorer are created. These components are essentially regular programs, with the only difference being that they are launched not by the user, but by , and are executed only in the browser.
ActiveX applications are called controls. They significantly expand the functionality of the site, which is actively used by various companies. It is most likely to “meet” ActiveX controls in the corporate segment of Internet banks. With their help, software programs are downloaded and installed, and displayed in the browser dialog boxes entering PIN codes, electronic digital signatures And various functions sending financial statements. In addition to these purely business functions, with the help of such components you can display an ActiveX audio and video flash player on any website, open various files using a browser and play the animation.
Do you need ActiveX?
On the one hand, ActiveX technology is supported only by Internet Explorer, and most experienced Internet users use other browsers and are not aware of this technology.
But if in your life you are forced to use any sites that necessarily require the use of older versions of IE, then you simply need to use ActiveX components.
However, one must use the capabilities of this technology with extreme caution. There is a fairly high probability of “catch” a virus by allowing all sites to install ActiveX applications by default. Attackers use this technology to distribute spyware, so we need to figure out how to properly configure this application.
How to adjust permissions or remove ActiveX?
With default settings, Internet Explorer asks for permission to run ActiveX, but previously installed applications can change these settings independently.
Only proper configuration of your browser settings can help you avoid serious problems. If you don't work in IE, then most likely you should disable ActiveX completely.
In Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon called “Tools”, then click on “Internet Options” and go to the “Security” tab.
Click on the button labeled "Other". In the Security Settings window that appears, make sure that the “Load unsigned ActiveX controls” and “Use ActiveX controls not marked as secure” options are disabled. Switch all other items in the “ActiveX controls and connection modules” subsection to the “Suggest” position.
Do the same steps, switching the zone from “Internet” to “Trusted Sites”. It would also be a good idea to add the web addresses of the sites you need to the list of trusted sites. This is done by pressing the button of the same name.
What programs need to be installed to replace the disabled ActiveX?
The program completely replaces ActiveX components. Moreover, in modern browsers Flash Player already installed.
You can do without other programs, just like without ActiveX controls.
Modern browsers are quite flexible programs that can be easily customized to the user's needs. This is done with the help of plugins - special routines that expand the capabilities of these same browsers. If you want your web browser to be able to play videos from the Internet and various flash elements, you need to install a special flash player. In the case of Internet Explorer, this role is taken over by the ActiveX plugin, which will be discussed further.
Features of the ActiveX add-on
Flash Player ActiveX is an extension for the Internet Explorer (IE) browser that allows you to play video elements on the Internet. Main feature ActiveX technology is the presence of special controls that are actively used when creating web pages, which allows, if necessary, to load a video or audio player to play media information.
Typically, ActiveX comes with the IE browser, but if the web browser does not have this extension, then when loading a web page that requires ActiveX, the user will be notified about it.
How to install the plugin?
- Open Internet Explorer, go to the tab Service, where select Internet Options.
- In the window that appears, click on Safety, where click on Another.
- A list will appear in front of you various components. Scroll through this list until you find the menu ActiveX controls and plugins. Enter this menu.
- Next, set the triggers as shown in the screenshot.
- After these steps, confirm changes made and reboot the computer.
Ready. The ActiveX element is configured and ready to use. Now you can safely watch videos and play music in your Internet Explorer.
Modern browsers are quite flexible programs that can be easily customized to the user's needs. This is done with the help of plugins - special routines that expand the capabilities of these same browsers. If you want your web browser to be able to play videos from the Internet and various flash elements, you need to install a special flash player. In the case of Internet Explorer, this role is taken over by the ActiveX plugin, which will be discussed further.
Features of the ActiveX add-on
Flash Player ActiveX is an extension for the Internet Explorer (IE) browser that allows you to play video elements on the Internet. The main feature of ActiveX technology is the presence of special controls that are actively used when creating web pages, which allows, if necessary, to load a video or audio player to play media information.
Typically, ActiveX comes with the IE browser, but if the web browser does not have this extension, then when loading a web page that requires ActiveX, the user will be notified about it.
How to install the plugin?
- Open Internet Explorer, go to the tab Service, where select Internet Options.
- In the window that appears, click on Safety, where click on Another.
- You will see a list of various components. Scroll through this list until you find the menu ActiveX controls and plugins. Enter this menu.
- Next, set the triggers as shown in the screenshot.
- After these steps, confirm the changes made and restart the computer.
Ready. The ActiveX element is configured and ready to use. Now you can safely watch videos and play music in your Internet Explorer.
Most modern users already know about such a thing as ActiveX. What are these technologies and what are they used for? Today we will try to understand this issue. Let's look at the main aspects without going into too much technical detail.
What is ActiveX? The simplest concepts
In order not to burden untrained users with unnecessary terms, we will consider ActiveX technology so that everyone understands what it is. ActiveX controls are actually small programs that a website creator or programmer can put together great amount interesting designs.
Initially, it was assumed that these elements, also called add-ons, would be used only to add additional capabilities to certain resources on the Internet and were supported only by the Internet Explorer browser. In part, this is exactly what happened. However, today there are many other controls that also belong to ActiveX technology. What are they? So, the simplest example can be considered an add-on in the form of a Flash player from Macromedia, which was at the origins of its creation.
Today this add-on is the most common plugin called Adobe ActiveX Player, or more precisely, Adobe Flash Player. This plugin can be integrated into all popular modern browsers. In addition to Adobe, which took over this baton from Macromedia, there are many developers of similar plugins. However, in comparison with a unique player, their products cannot be compared and for this reason, today they are unclaimed. Such elements can hardly be called programs in the usual sense. Run them double click mouse is not possible. The built-in codes of these programs are executed in the environment of Internet browsers.
What are the uses of Active X controls?
For clarification, let's look at the main aspects of using such technologies. So, for example, using Active X elements, you can integrate video and audio players into your website. In other words, you can watch clips or listen to music directly on the site. It is worth noting that the program itself with the shell, as a rule, is not displayed on the resource.
Instead, either a special window is used to view the clip, or the sound is redirected through the computer's audio system. Thus, it turns out that the superstructure itself functions in background, hidden from the eyes of a simple site visitor. The same applies to online games. The key role in this matter is played by the Framework company (version 4 or any other).
It should be noted that .NET Freamework is a unique development Microsoft. In this case, Adobe Active X complements the main platform and is also responsible for playing and opening multimedia elements. This combination allows you to use elements that were originally written in different programming languages (C++, Visual Basic, Delphi, etc.). The presence of a Framework 4 element is a prerequisite for the operation of many control and structural elements of websites, including offline.
ActiveX controls and Java applets: differences
Many people mistakenly believe that Java applets are also ActiveX controls. They are indeed similar to each other, but there is one significant difference. The point is that the designs developed during Java Help, operate on various platforms and operating systems. And ActiveX has a rather narrow focus only on Microsoft software products.
Viruses
Today, unfortunately, there are quite often viruses on the Internet that disguise themselves as Adobe Flash ActiveX elements. Each element, when used, is downloaded directly to the browser, and therefore to the computer. For this reason, certain safety precautions must be taken into account. The thing is that many users do not even read messages with offers to download and use certain components. They simply agree to complete all actions by clicking on the “OK” button.
This can lead to disastrous consequences. It should be noted that in most cases, even Internet defenders and standard anti-virus programs are not always able to recognize such threats. For this reason, install the same Flash plugins ActiveX is only available from official sources. Roughly speaking, such components can only be installed from the official developer’s website. Only in this case can safety be guaranteed when using a particular component.
Power on and disable ActiveX in Internet Explorer browser
Let's talk about how you can properly configure the use of these add-ons in the Internet Explorer browser. First of all, you need to open the Internet Options menu from the Control Panel. After this, you need to go to the security settings. At the bottom there is a button for the “Other” security level. After clicking on it, you will immediately be taken to the Active X settings menu. To avoid picking up any infection from the Internet, you need to disable the loading of unsigned and unsafe elements. Ideally, of course, it is better to use the “Suggest” level mode when loading.
Security Settings
It is worth remembering one more means of protection. This is a firewall, which is also called a firewall. Here, as expected, there are default security settings. However, those who like to play online can add some executable plugins to the exclusion list. This can only be done if you are completely confident in their safety. But it is not recommended to disable the firewall, although some developers advise doing this to ensure correct operation one application or another. And many argue that conflicts can arise between the firewall and the application. But once you disable the protection, the consequences cannot be avoided. No proactive defense antivirus program It won't help you.
ActiveX technology in other browsers
Gone are the days when add-ons were designed only for use in the Internet Explorer browser. Think about it, today Adobe Active X technology is used in almost all Internet browsers. She literally became a part of them. Without of this element today it is no longer possible to imagine full use capabilities of any Internet resource. However, if you look into this issue, then, by and large, today, of all the known elements and downloadable plugins, using the Flash player seems the most appropriate.
All other elements and additions are essentially simply unnecessary or raise doubts regarding the safety of their use. If you allow a dubious element to be installed in your browser, you can make your security system vulnerable. Security holes can exploit malicious code, Trojan horses, viruses, worms and spyware. The saddest thing is that many browsers do not have settings for ActiveX control. The Windows settings used have no relation to third party browsers. In other words, they don't apply to browsers.
Conclusion
IN this review We briefly looked at what ActiveX is. We can only hope that this material will allow you to understand the principle of using these add-ons. By now it should be clear to you that you need to be careful when using these technologies. Otherwise, the consequences for the entire computer system can be quite dire. If you use Internet Explorer as a browser, give preference to above average or maximum security modes. In other browsers, before agreeing to install and use the elements offered by the site, you need to think carefully ten times. This is not just about the potential threat of computer infection. Installing unnecessary controls and plugins usually has a detrimental effect on browser performance.