Active X, or rather, ActiveX is a trademark technology created by Microsoft in which codes are automatically downloaded from web pages visited on the PC to view something or execute a function on the site.

Understanding Active X Errors
ActiveX downloads are called ActiveX controls and, as soon as they are downloaded, it becomes part of your operating system.  Errors with ActiveX are fairly uncommon, occurring not nearly as often as DLL, EXE, or Windows errors.  Here are a few examples of ActiveX errors and how to fix them:

Causes of Active X Errors
ActiveX errors occur from a number of different things.

• Botched downloads
• Adware/spyware integration
• Website corruption
• Browser errors can also affect ActiveX controls.
• If the ActiveX control downloaded from a website crashes, it can cause an error.
• Likewise, ActiveX controls that are downloaded along with spyware/adware and other malicious objects will infiltrate your system.  Obviously, this causes problems because nobody wants surprise malicious programs on their PC.

Prevent and Repair Active X Problems
The best and most efficient way to deal with ActiveX errors accompanied by spyware/adware is to make sure your computer is virus protected.  A good virus scan is highly suggested as well as making sure your firewall is turned on.

Repair Active X errors with the most effective tool available.  A registry cleaner will find and fix registry errors on your computer’s hard drive, including ActiveX errors.  This will help optimize PC performance and keep your computer running smoothly.

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ActiveX controls are the building blocks of the Active X programming language that is utilized to set functions in Microsoft Windows operating systems.  More specifically, it is utilized in Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and Windows Explorer to build their feature-sets and encapsulate functionality in ActiveX Controls.

What Do ActiveX Controls Do?
As with any programming language, there are certain disadvantages that hinder its use or functionality.  ActiveX controls are the individual units that distribute applications used on your computer, so you can utilize a program or navigate a browser window.  Websites often use them to enable media on their sites to be seen or played.

1. The first major disadvantage of ActiveX controls is that there are certain security vulnerabilities within the framework that make it easy for malicious programs to infiltrate your computer.
2. ActiveX controls downloaded onto your computer possess the same rights as the current user on your PC (i.e., limited or administrative access) and therefore have the same control over your computer.
3. Extending your trust in someone else not to abuse this is risky because some websites won’t hesitate to install malware or viruses alongside their controls.

Preventing ActiveX Problems
The best way to avoid these harmful disadvantages of ActiveX controls is to be aware and make sure all of your internet security settings are correct.  Correct and prevent most ActiveX control problems by downloading and utilizing a good registry cleaner.  This will prevent corrupt ActiveX controls from adversely affecting your system and keep your PC running at optimal performance.

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Similar to Java applets, ActiveX controls are small programs that perform important functions for web applications.  These controls allow you to gather data, view certain kinds of animations and files.  Without ActiveX controls, this would not be possible for most people.

The problem lies in the fact that most hackers know just how common ActiveX controls are, and will use them to carry malware and viruses into your computer.  Once there, these bugs and worms are hard to get out.  You do have some options both before and after an infection takes place.

Proactive Solution to Repairing Errors

Since these controls can be used so easily against you, it is important to prevent them from being downloaded automatically.

1. Open your Internet Explorer and click upon the Tools tab.
2. From there select, the internet options button.
3. Go to the Security level and choose custom level.
4. Scroll down to the section that describes the conditions for accepting ActiveX files.
5. Select “prompt” for all options other than “run ActiveX controls and plug ins” and “Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting.”
6. The last two selections should be enabled.  This will assure you that questionable active X will not be able to download before you evaluate them.

What to Do if ActiveX Errors are Already There

If you have already created problems for yourself by unintentionally downloading such ActiveX files, then your best solution is a registry cleaner.  You can download a cleaner from the web in a matter of minutes.  It will go through your registry, find anywhere that has been affected by problematic downloads, and make repairs.

It will also clear out any leftover bits of old, deleted programs, fix damaged files, and in general, clean up and optimize your operating system.  The result will be a faster, happier computer that no longer freezes up or crashes.  Read more about how a registry cleaner helps with ActiveX controls.

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When it comes to your PC, disk cleanliness and safety of your information should come first.  To make things quick and easy for you, you should download and use a well-known and safe disk clean up software.

Disk clean up software is a utility that removes internet cookies, clears the web history, deletes cache files, and manages the clean-up of various temp files, all of which accumulate over time and slow your computer down.

1.    Manages Your Hard Drive and Temporary Files for You
Failing computer performance, slow runtime, and frequent freezing or crashing can all be signs that your computer’s hard drive needs to be cleaned.  You can either do this manually if you know how, call tech support, or buy or download free disk clean up software.  The latter is the most painless and easiest of the three options.  The software removes unwanted files from your hard drive and manages the storing of temporary files on your PC.

2.    Prevents Data Loss and Corruption of Files
This type of software also seeks out and deletes hidden applets and controls in your system registry, eliminating executable files from your hard drive, and preventing data loss and/or corruption.

3.    Cleans Up Cache Files that Slow Down Your System
Most of these clean up softwares show you all of your file statistics and improve PC performance by cleaning up all internet cookies, cache files, search engine data, index data files, MRU’s, history files, ActiveX controls and Java applets, and password/userID entries.

Disk clean up software is a great choice when looking for a simple, user-friendly way to improve and optimize computer performance without the hassle of doing it all yourself or the possible cost of calling a tech service.  Add a registry cleaner to your disk clean up software and fully optimize your PC’s performance on a regular basis before you undergo time-consuming and costly repair of your registry.

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A JavaScript error usually occurs when there is a problem embedded in a website or in programs heavily associated in utilizing JavaScript.  Here are a few common JavaScript errors and ways to fix them:

Program JavaScript Errors

If a JavaScript error occurs while you are using a certain program that needs updating, try updating the program and check if that solved the problem.  Also, the program’s website FAQ is a good place to search for common errors regarding the program.  If these all fail to fix the JavaScript error, uninstalling and reinstalling the program is suggested as a last resort.

Internet JavaScript Errors

JavaScript errors from a certain webpage are usually a result of blocked processes.  Check to see if Active Script, Java Applets, or ActiveX is blocked on the browser settings and then enabling the process(es).  You may also want to check if your firewall or antivirus is blocking these processes.

To undo this block on Internet Explorer, you need to go to tools, select internet options, security, and then choose the default level. If the problem persists, try going to the same website on a different computer.  If the JavaScript error occurs after opening that website, the problem is with the website itself and not your computer.

The smooth scrolling feature in Internet Explorer is also known to cause JavaScript errors at times. To eliminate this source, go to internet options, select advanced and find “smooth scrolling” on the list, and clear the checked box to deactivate it.

Have you found yourself waiting on that little hourglass icon to open up your programs.  If you don’t want to ever experience a system crash or a computer freeze again, you need to maintain your computer on a regular basis.  Whether you fix the JavaScript error yourself or use a registry cleaner, it is always a good idea to regularly clean your registry to optimize your PC’s performance.

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Talk about timing or coincidence. While I was giving a short discourse as to what ActiveX is and the possible dangers that it may bring, Symantec and Microsoft were already giving advisories on the recent spates of malware infection caused by the ActiveX control for the Snapshot Viewer made for Microsoft Access.

Symantec reported that the attacks are being perpetrated through a toolkit that could be used even by novices. The fact that this program is being disseminated on the Internet aggravates the problem.

Microsoft’s security advisory on the matter revealed that the ActiveX trap are set by creating bogus Web sites that seem harmless or legitimate. Upon accessing the infected page, the user would be prompted that an ActiveX control needs to be loaded in order for the site to be displayed properly. Once the malicious ActiveX control is allowed to run, the hacker would then be able to use or access the unsuspecting user’s PC to execute damaging codes or instructions.

Microsoft has yet to release the patch that would cover the problem. Until then, be wary of the Web sites that you visit. If you can’t stop yourself from checking the page, then at least refrain from acting on the ActiveX prompts that you get.

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There used to be a time when Web sites were as exciting as your newspaper’s business section. There were hardly any picture on the Web pages back then and interaction was limited to the e-mail address of the webmaster. Surfing the Web 10-15 years ago was like browsing through huge post its!

Web page design has come a long way since then. Text-only Web pages are already relics of the past. Nowadays, you could hardly find any site that has no pictures, videos, or graphical options or controls which allow you to interact with the page. All these would not have been possible if Microsoft had not created ActiveX.

What is ActiveX?

ActiveX is an innovation by Redmond which allows programs to be executed and/or loaded on the Web Site. The codes that ActiveX execute enable the surfer to interact with the page as it gives him a variety of options as to how he could wander about in the site. Take for example your favorite NBA team’s Web site. Whenever you visit their page, you’ll almost always be prompted if you would want ActiveX controls to be executed. Click “yes” and you’ll be presented with a wide array of features, such as being able to vote for your favorite player or view the highlights of last night’s game. Click “no” and you’ll be stuck with a page that doesn’t have much flare to keep you from leaving after 10 seconds.

Is it Dangerous?

While ActiveX controls make the waves we’re surfing on more interesting, it could also make them very perilous. Take note that ActiveX works by executing codes embedded on Web pages. If the codes contain malicious instructions, then you’ll probably be spending your next weekend reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling all your programs and files, that is if you were able to back up all of your precious data.

You should therefore be very cautious in clicking the links that you see. If the URL seems dubious, don’t click on it. If you have the curiosity of a cat, then at least don’t immediately run the ActiveX controls of the page when you’re prompted for it. Examine the index page first before you respond to prompts or queries.

Install Safeguards

While Internet Explorer prompts you if a Web page wants to execute or run an ActiveX control, thereby keeping you safe from malware infection, such feature doesn’t provide you with an adequate security or safeguard. Malicious codes usually target the Windows registry first. Hence, investing in a registry cleaner is imperative. Hackers have more than one ingenious method by which you could be tricked into running a malicious ActiveX control. If you do fall for those, your registry cleaner and antivirus would be there to catch you.

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