Web Design Information courtesy of EnhanceYourPC.co.uk


Bad Web Design: ActiveX


ActiveX uses an interesting method for enforcing security ... it doesn't. Well, that's not exactly true. What happens is when a web page requests an ActiveX control the browser determines if that control is already loaded onto your system. If it is the ActiveX control is executed. If not, the user is asked if it is okay to install the control. Additional information about where the control came from and it's security implications is also included.

The theory behind this security model is the user knows what's best for his system. In my humble opinion, this is pure hogwash (a stronger expletive came to mind but this is a family site). Is your average web surfer really knowledgeable enough to make a decision like this? Look at it this way, by installing an ActiveX control you are assuming it is secure, won't damage your system and is bug-free. You are basically trusting completely the company which created the control, the developers and the people distributing the image.

Yes there are security certificates involved, but those are relatively easy to get. Also remember how many security problems have been reported involving ActiveX controls.

I don't know about you, but when I get that little box stating a site wants to install an ActiveX control, my first impulse is to hit the NO box, quickly followed by the BACK key. This may seem a bit paranoid, but I use my computer all day long and I depend upon it for business and pleasure. Why would I want to put it at any risk for some silly little ActiveX control? The web is a huge place and there are plenty of other sites to look at.

My advice to anyone is generally don't allow ActiveX controls to be installed from anywhere except for really big sites like Microsoft. It's just too difficult to judge how safe or unsafe the control happens to be.

How is this different from Java? Well, Java has an entirely different security model which does not make the assumption that the user has been educated about the specific Java applet. Java sets specific rules to what an applet can and cannot do, and generally these rules do an excellent job of preventing damage to a system (there have been bugs but no where near as many as with ActiveX).

On top of the security concerns, ActiveX only works in Internet Explorer. Yes, I know there is a plug in for Netscape but it's slow and not very usable. Besides, most Netscape users don't have it installed. If you are designing a web site, please consider this very carefully. If you include ActiveX controls you are losing as many as 50 percent of your visitors. Perhaps more, depending upon your market. Is any functionality that you might gain worth that cost?

Of course, if you are creating an Intranet (a web local to a company) then by all means use all of the ActiveX controls that you want. In this case, you have far more control over the user environment that you have on the web.

About The Author

Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets. This website includes over 1,000 free articles to improve your internet profits, enjoyment and knowledge.

Web Site Address: http://www.internet-tips.net

Weekly newsletter: http://www.internet-tips.net/joinlist.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

Law Firm Web Design Company Now Offers A Free 5 Day Course in ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 13 hours ago
The law firm web design company, Lawyer Web Templates, has been offering high quality web building services and templates for years. ...


Web Design Company Launches Search Engine Marketing Service
ThomasNet Industrial News Room (press release), NY - 19 hours ago
Web design company based in London, http://www.kronikmedia.co.uk have introduced a new service for companies small or large in UK who are looking to improve ...


Web Design Agency in Nottingham Develops New eCommerce Pacakage
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 20, 2008
Nottingham, UK (PRWEB) November 20, 2008 -- WebCatch are a young, up and coming Web Design Company based in Nottingham UK. They are making an astounding ...


Leverage Your Website as a Lifeboat for Surviving the Economic ...
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
"Unlike other local web design companies that went out of business that year, OneWebHosting combined web-savvy, creativity and cost-efficient services to ...


Franchise Direct's Embedded Videos are Creating a Wealth of New ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 46 minutes ago
For an example of the potential of video content for businesses, just take a look at this video podcast from web design franchise Get us Online by Vizzit ...


Web design firm's span reaches from Dnieper to Danbury
Danbury News Times, CT - Nov 18, 2008
... a city in western Ukraine near the country's border with Poland, got the idea to start the firm while working at another Web design outfit in Stamford. ...


Denver Interactive Agency Ranks Among The World’s Best in Web ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 17, 2008
... and visual communications, as a winner in the Interactive Annual 14, the magazine’s annual competition for excellence and innovation in web design. ...
Amalgamated Pixels Awarded 2008 Davey Award MarketWatch
all 10 news articles


Klue

Also wanted: Web Design Ninja!
Klue, Malaysia - Nov 19, 2008


HTML Fundamentals
mediabistro.com, NY - 22 hours ago
David has taught Flash, HTML, and other web design-related topics at Parsons School of Design since early 2000. David is a masterful teacher. ...


OnWheelsInc.com Unveils New Web Design
MarketWatch - Nov 6, 2008
DETROIT, Nov 06, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- OnWheelsInc.com, an automotive site for minority car buyers, enthusiasts and general web surfers alike, ...

Web-Design - Google News

home | site map
© 2007