Computer Security & Viruses/ActiveX

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Expert: - 2/6/2005


Question
Hi Carolyn, I'm not quite sure if this is the right location to ask this question but maybe it's close. I have "disabled" ActiveX on my computer. I'm not sure what it is but it sure sounds like a spyware program. Have I messed up or do you know what it is? I regulary scan my computer with Spybot, Norton & throught the Trend Micro site and I swear that I've see this come up. Could offer any advice? Thanks, Scott.  

Answer
You were wise to disable ActiveX. It is a feature Microsoft has added to Internet Explorer, and it is the most common way for viruses and spyware to invade your computer just by browsing a malicious or infected website. Microsoft didn't intend for this to happen, but they just plain messed up.  

Computer Security & Viruses

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Carolyn Meinel

Expertise

I cover Windows, Linux, TCP/IP and Ethernet security questions. I do not cover Mac, smart phones, or other networking issues.

Experience

Books by Carolyn Meinel: wrote a chapter for The Hacking of America book (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567204600/happyhacker) My article Code Red for the Web for Scientific American was reprinted in the book Best American Science Writing 2002 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060936509/happyhacker). My book The Happy Hacker: A Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking is now in 4th edition with a Japanese edition (see http://happyhacker.org/hhbook/).

Organizations
IEEE, AAAS

Publications
See a list with some online links at http://cmeinel.com

Education/Credentials
MS, Industrial Engineering, The University of Arizona Took a course in computer forensics at the University of Texas at Austin/

Past/Present Clients
DARPA, SAIC, Palmer Labs

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