ActiveX Question

[babyoh]

:rose: i have microsoft austomatically update me.
BUT...
(and this is NEW, it didn't USED to happen)
when i try for manual MS updates, i get a message asking if i want to allow ACTICE-X to run.
:rose: QUESTION:
is it safe for me to allow that? i'm not familiar with Active-X...
ALSO: can i allow A/X ONLY for this one update situation & nothing else? (i've had alot of infections, so i try and be extra cautious.)
:rose: THANKS

[mitch]

check your security settings in ie !!!

on the net i do not allow active X to run

BUT in trusted sites i do allow it to run !(and i have ms updates there) and about the only time i use IE is for updating...as in their wisdom i do not allow auto updates as on a dialup i need to know how big first, and research each patch as one killed my system so n0ow they must be able to remove before i install)


you can select it to PROMPT if you do not want o have active X disabled on the net


<rant>
i use Firefox and have no use for active X it is nothing but trouble, but microsoft created the monster and will still use it on hits sites

</rant>


yep i wish they would allow a "rant command" in html  :lol:

[babyoh]

 :rose: hey mitch.
my internet explorer has the security settings all set to PROMPT me re ActiveX.
i hardly used ie AT ALL, but when i try to manually do a Microsoft Update -- i get the DO YOU WANT TO ALLOW THE ACTIVE-X? message
i've been saying NO.
but i've found some NEW symantec & MS updates by doing manual updating.
i probably wouldn't allow it under any other circumstances -- is it safe, in this instance, do you think?
***ALSO:
i enable javascript, but usually disable JAVA -- cuz i've heard there are JAVA viruses.
is this threat significant?
THANX  :rose:
PS. i can't find ACTIVE-X settings in OPERA or FIREFOX -- do they not use ACTIVE-X?

[mitch]

there is no active x in firefox and that is why i like it
don't know about opera, never used it ;-)

think you might want to either click yes each time or allow it for the updates ;-)

i use "noscripts" for firefox
it does several things
1. stops all java unless you allow it on a site
2. can stop flash  so i don't get those adds that bug the heck out of me
3. i can control what site i allow java for so i can allow for the site but not the ads

all you hve to do is click the "S" in the corner and allow ,block, temp allow and the page will auto reload !
think if you look at the add ons you will find it is one of the top 10 installs, small and works !

[jsky]

The ActiveX control for the microsofts update site is for the "Genuine Windows Advantage". It checks to see if you have a legal copy of windows. If it doesn't find it, it will only allow you to download certian updates. Other things like WMP10 and Microsofts Antispyware need to see the Activex control, or you can't download them. Nor will it allow you to download program updates for the OS. Just the high risk updates.

[Brynn]

Hi babyoh,
I have IE set to block Active X (Disable) in the Internet Zone.  So I never get the alerts when surfing around.  However, it does prevent certain sometimes helpful functions.  But when just surfing around, I really want this kind of safety.  In the Trusted Zone, I have Active X set to Prompt...well, technically, I have download and run unsigned active x on Disable, also not marked safe for scripting.  Then I have run and download signed active x on prompt.

So when I get the prompts (alerts) I'm already on sites that I trust, so I usually click Yes.  Why not set to Enable, or accept all Active X in the Trusted Zone?  I want to know when I'm getting them, or which site is using them.  If set to Enable/accept, I never actually know when a site is running or dl-ing (downloading) active x.

So I also get the active x prompts when getting Windows Updates.  You do have to click Yes to accept them, or you can't get your downloads.  (At least that's how it is for me.)  But just consider, the Active X is coming from Microsoft itself, in this case.  My thinking is, I can trust Microsoft not to give me malware with their active x controls.  And I've never had a problem.

Sorry I'm rambling a bit.  But my main points are:
---  you can trust MS not to be using active x in a bad way
---  you can't get the updates without clicking Yes
---  even though you trust MS, you may not want to change the setting, to maintain your protection elsewhere

I hope this helps.  If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.  Actually, there are very few questions at LzD that I can actually answer!  Usually all I ever do is ask the questions, lol!  But this one I understand and can help ;)

Take care and good luck :)

oops, PS -- Sorry, I don't know about Java or javascript.  I'm not even sure what's the difference. :oops:

[Paddy]

oops, PS -- Sorry, I don't know about Java or javascript.  I'm not even sure what's the difference. :oops:

Define:JavaScript..
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&defl=en&q=define:JavaScript 

Don't confuse JavaScript with Java.
http://www.orafaq.com/glossary/faqglosj.htm


numbnuts.. :breakkie:

[Brynn]

Oh thank you, numbnuts!
That's very helpful :D