Whats an ActiveX control?
ActiveX controls are small, single-purpose programs that can be called by programs and web pages. ActiveX allows a programmer to write a piece of software one time, and make its functionality available to other programs that may need it. What’s the “Kill Bit”? The Kill Bit is a method by which an ActiveX control can be prevented from ever being invoked via Internet Explorer, even if it’s present on the system. (More information on the Kill Bit is available in Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q240797). Typically, when a security vulnerability involves an ActiveX control, the patch delivers a new control and sets the Kill Bit on the vulnerable control. However, it isn’t feasible to do so in this case. Why isn’t it feasible to set the Kill Bit in this case? The ActiveX control involved in these vulnerabilities is used in Web pages produced by Office applications to access data. Many applications, including third-party applications, contain hard-coded references to it; if the patch set the
ActiveX controls are small, single-purpose programs that can be called by programs and web pages. ActiveX allows a programmer to write a piece of software one time, and make its functionality available to other programs that may need it. What’s the “Kill Bit”? The Kill Bit is a method by which an ActiveX control can be prevented from ever being invoked via Internet Explorer, even if it’s present on the system. (More information on the Kill Bit is available in Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q240797). Typically, when a security vulnerability involves an ActiveX control, the patch delivers a new control and sets the Kill Bit on the vulnerable control. However, it isn’t feasible to do so in this case. Why isn’t it feasible to set the Kill Bit in this case? The Kill bit is currently implemented in Windows as an “all or nothing” switch. Setting the Kill bit will totally disable your ability to use QuickTime in media which invokes it via the ActiveX control. This includes millions of web pa
ActiveX controls are small, single-purpose programs that can be called by programs and web pages. ActiveX allows a programmer to write a piece of software one time, and make its functionality available to other programs that may need it. What’s the “Kill Bit”? The Kill Bit is a method by which an ActiveX control can be prevented from ever being invoked via Internet Explorer, even if it’s present on the system. (More information on the Kill Bit is available in Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q240797). Typically, when a security vulnerability involves an ActiveX control, the patch delivers a new control and sets the Kill Bit on the vulnerable control. However, it isn’t feasible to do so in this case. Why isn’t it feasible to set the Kill Bit in the case? The ActiveX control involved in these vulnerabilities implements the entire Windows Help system. Many applications, including third-party applications, contain hard-coded references to it; if the patch set the Kill Bit, those programs’
ActiveX is a set of technologies created by Microsoft for sharing information among different programs. The control is simply the use of ActiveX. In the case of sirius.com, the ActiveX control is sharing song and artist data found in the Windows Media Player plug-in with your browser. It is similar to a Java applet, except that ActiveX controls have full access to the Windows operating system onlythey do NOT work with Macintosh browsers and certain PC browsers.
ActiveX is a set of technologies created by Microsoft for sharing information among different programs. The ‘control’ is simply the use of ActiveX. In the case of sirius.com, the ActiveX control is sharing song and artist data found in the Windows Media Player plug-in with your browser. It is similar to a Java applet, except that ActiveX controls have full access to the Windows operating system only—they do NOT work with Macintosh browsers and certain PC browsers.
