Yes, I know the title sounds like a contradiction, but it seems right. What this boils down to is the recent Microsoft Windows Update may impact your browsing experience because of the way Internet Explorer will now handle ActiveX controls. Although we recommend you install the update for security reasons, we thought we'd highlight where you might experience issues. The change doesn't affect all web pages, but more than you may realize.

If the term ActiveX is making you squint, you're not alone. It's one of those terms that we seldom hear and yet is pervasive throughout the web. ActiveX is a set of rules and controls that add interactivity to a web site. Even our site demos and tutorials require a Macromedia flash ActiveX component.

With the recent upgrade, when Internet Explorer encounters a web page using the APPLET, EMBED or OBJECT element to load ActiveX, it will be blocked until you allow it. Make sense? I didn't get it the first time either and had to look the HTML code on various web pages.

Since you shouldn't be expected to look at the HTML, here is a listing of areas where you might encounter problems:

• Web pages that use Macromedia Adobe Flash Player
• Web pages that play Apple QuickTime videos
• Web pages that use Adobe Reader
• Web pages that use Real Networks Real Player
• Web pages that use Macromedia shockwave player
• Web pages that use Sun Java

I used the term problem, but that is probably too strong. In most instances, you will see content, but it won't be active. The page will look static, but if you move your mouse around or use the TAB key you will see the following tool tips on web pages.

Aside from the above items, your company might have their own uses for ActiveX. Sometimes companies build ActiveX controls to have one system talk to another. If you're not sure if you'll be impacted by the change, one way to is check if you have any browser add-ons installed.

To view IE browser add-ons that use ActiveX,

1. Open Internet Explorer

2. From the Tools menu, select Manage Ad Ons

3. When the dialog appears, click the Type column heading.

This should sort your list so the ActiveX items are at the top of the list. In my example, I've highlighted the control that Flash uses.

Although the emphasis of this monthly update was security, this ActiveX change came about because of a patent lawsuit. I don't think this change was something Microsoft would intentionally put on users. In the interim, companies and webmasters are changing their web pages to handle the new behavior.

Related ActiveX Article:

• Term to Learn: ActiveX