Active X?

[Trying2Bopen]

Okay, I am not computer savvy, so what exactly is an “Active X”? You know, that annoying thing that pops up when you go to a web page and won’t let you leave until you do something with it. This leads to my next question, how can I not touch it and get out? Is closing the “Active X” window enough? And say I may have clicked “ok” a few times … um, how do I figure out if I did something stupid? Any recommendations on antiviral software out there that could undo my stupid things?

 

[a_unique_person]

Active X was one more attempt by Microsoft to hijack the web, and ensure it had a degree of control over it. It is in not any one thing, but a group of software products brought together under one label, when the letter 'X', for some god only knows reason, was deemed marketings ploy of the month. Eg, USX for US Steel.

 

[Rat]

Generally speaking, it's a way of allowing small programs to run over the web. Sort of like Java, but different, most notably different in that it's potentially much more dangerous.

If you go (in IE) to Tools/Internet Options/Security, you can set all sorts of settings relating to it. You can, if you wish, disable it completely, but be aware that things like Windows Update/Microsoft Update will not then work.

There are online virus scanners (I think Trend do one) that you can use for a single scan, or you can download ClamWin for free. You'll also want something like Spybot S&D and AdAware.