What is ActiveX

[Sadhan]

ActiveX controls are software modules based on Microsoft's Component
Object Model (COM) architecture. They add functionality to software
applications by seamlessly incorporating pre-made modules with the
basic software package. Modules can be interchanged but still appear
as parts of the original software.
On the Internet, ActiveX controls can be linked to Web pages and
downloaded by an ActiveX-compliant browser. ActiveX controls turn Web
pages into software pages that perform like any other program launched
from a server.

ActiveX controls can have full system access. In most instances this
access is legitimate, but one should be cautious of malicious ActiveX
applications.