This guide to changing settings for Active X can help you maintain better security while surfing the Web. Active X is used by certain Web sites to download applications that work with Windows. They can be used to display banner ads or play videos or animation. Unfortunately, some of the more annoying Active X scripting can hijack your homepage or, even worse, install viruses on your computer. If you need Active X help, heed the following steps:

To maintain the highest level of security on your computer, you’ll want to make sure that you’re always prompted before your computer installs any Active X controls. Current versions of Internet Explorer prompt the user only when a Web site isn’t verified as authentic. Here’s how to get these prompts:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• On the toolbar, select Tools. This should open a dropdown menu.
• From the dropdown menu, select Internet Options. This should open a new window. The window should feature tabs at the top of the page.
• Find the tab labeled Security, and click on it. The window should display a few icons.
• Click on the icon that looks like a globe labeled Internet.
• Now click on the box at the bottom that says Custom Level. A new window will open with Active X control settings.
• Now you can choose what Active X controls to allow. For the highest level of security, you’ll want to disable downloading unsigned Active X controls as well as disable Active X controls not marked as safe. For signed Active X controls, you’ll want to choose Prompt.

Now you’ll be prompted any time an Active X control wants to download, and any unverified Active X downloads will be blocked. Remember, Active X is available only for PC owners using Windows and Internet Explorer, so Firefox users and Mac owners need not be concerned.