ActiveX controls
ActiveX controls are small apps that allow websites to provide content such as videos and games. They also let you interact with content like toolbars and stock tickers when you browse the web. However, because many ActiveX controls don’t automatically update, they can become outdated as new versions are released.
It’s important that you keep your ActiveX controls current. Many malicious or compromised webpages target outdated ActiveX controls with security flaws to collect info from your PC, damage info on your PC, install software on your PC without your consent, or let someone else control your PC remotely.
Updating ActiveX controls
Internet Explorer tells you when it finds and blocks portions of webpages loading common, but out-of-date ActiveX controls. To update these controls:
- From the Internet Explorer notification bar, select Update.
- You'll be taken to the ActiveX control's website, where you can download the latest version of the control.
Although not recommended (if you don’t trust a site, you shouldn’t let it load an outdated ActiveX control), you can also view missing webpage content by selecting Run this time. Selecting this option runs the ActiveX control without updating. However, this doesn’t fix the problem, so the next time you visit a webpage running the outdated ActiveX control, you’ll be notified again.