ActiveX Controls provide websites with added degrees of functionality, interactivity, and multimedia. However, they can also introduce problems, such as rogue software masquerading as valid ActiveX Controls that can do damage to your computer and/or data. If you want to disable the use of ActiveX controls when viewing the Internet, do the following:

1. From IE, choose "Tools" then "Internet Options".
2. When the "Internet Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the "Security" tab.
3. Click "Internet".
4. Click the "Custom Level" button.
5. When the "Custom Level" dialog box appears, disable all options underneath the heading "ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins".
6. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

While disabling ActiveX Controls provides a higher level of security, doing so may disable Flash and the usage of Windows Update. You can, though, put valid sites in a "Trusted Sites" zone.

1. From IE, choose "Tools" then "Internet Options".
2. When the "Internet Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the "Security" tab.
3. Click "Trusted Sites".
4. Click the "Sites" button.
5. From here, enter websites as appropriate that you feel are trustworthy. Click the "Add" button after adding each site.
6. Click "OK" to close the dialog boxes.

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