Functioning Mechanisms of ActiveX for Animated Displays
Protecting Yourself from ActiveX Security Threats
In today's digital world, ensuring the security of your computer is more important than ever. One area that requires particular attention is ActiveX, a technology often used for creating interactive content on websites. Here's a guide on how to protect yourself against ActiveX security threats.
First and foremost, it's crucial to disable or restrict ActiveX controls whenever possible. For instance, in Microsoft Outlook and other Office apps, newer versions disable ActiveX by default to reduce the attack surface. If needed, configure settings to prompt before enabling ActiveX controls and only enable them from trusted sources.
Using modern browsers like Microsoft Edge (post-2019 versions) or Chrome, which have removed or never supported ActiveX to reduce risk, is another effective measure. Avoid legacy browsers that still rely on ActiveX technology for plugins.
Avoid running or opening .HTA files or other scripts that leverage ActiveX and Windows Script Host, as attackers often use these for malware delivery and ransomware infections.
Keeping your operating system, antivirus, and software fully updated with patches to fix known ActiveX vulnerabilities exploited by malware is also essential. Turn off legacy technologies you do not need, such as Windows Script Host and Internet Explorer rendering engines.
Educating users to recognize suspicious webpages, downloads, or email attachments that might attempt to exploit ActiveX controls is another important step. Be wary of sites that ask you to enable ActiveX controls without a clear reason.
Microsoft increased ActiveX security with the release of Internet Explorer 7, disabling all but the most common ActiveX controls and improving the user notification process before downloading new controls. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
A simple way to avoid the security headaches of ActiveX is to use a different Web browser, like Safari, Firefox, or Opera, that doesn't accept ActiveX controls. These browsers provide a more secure environment for browsing the web.
In summary, the best defense is to disable or restrict ActiveX, migrate to modern secure browsers, avoid running risky script files (.HTA), keep software updated, and practice caution around web content that could exploit ActiveX vulnerabilities. By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to ActiveX-related security threats.
[1] TechRadar. (2021). How to disable ActiveX in Internet Explorer. [Online]. Available: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-disable-activex-in-internet-explorer
[2] Microsoft. (2021). How to change security settings for Microsoft Office programs. [Online]. Available: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-security-settings-for-microsoft-office-programs-675a6e7d-9b5a-41f9-9ca0-69718b85e8f5
[3] Malwarebytes Labs. (2021). What is ActiveX? [Online]. Available: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/101/2017/01/what-is-activex/
[4] CNET. (2021). How to disable ActiveX in Internet Explorer. [Online]. Available: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-disable-activex-in-internet-explorer/
[5] Norton. (2021). What is ActiveX? [Online]. Available: https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-activex.html
Data-and-cloud-computing technology plays a significant role in enhancing cybersecurity measures against ActiveX threats by providing secure browsers that do not accept ActiveX controls, as seen in Safari, Firefox, and Opera. Regular software updates, including operating systems and antivirus programs, are essential for patching known ActiveX vulnerabilities.
