What is the difference between Mozilla ActiveX Control and Microsft ActiveX Control pad?

mariav

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Nov 4, 2006, 12:55:24 PM11/4/06

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I have these two files on my computer:
MozillaControl1712.exe
setuppad.exe (When I open this it says Microsoft ActiveX Control Pad)

Which one do I need?

Nir

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Nov 4, 2006, 1:32:49 PM11/4/06

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"Microsoft ActiveX Control Pad" - An Authoring tool , "Using the ActiveX
Control Pad, you can easily author pages that include advanced layout
and multimedia features such as exact object placement, object layering,
and transparency effects."

"Mozilla ActiveX Control" - "The Mozilla ActiveX Control uses the Gecko
layout engine to deliver a fully programmable HTML and XML rendering
control for ActiveX developers. The API is similar to the Internet
Explorer ActiveX control so it maintains a high degree of compatibility.

While Trident -based browsers such as Internet Explorer need ActiveX to
embed software such as Flash allowing the user to use Flash applications
in IE, Mozilla ActiveX Control is not necessary to run Flash
applications in Gecko-based browsers since Gecko-based browsers have
their own plugins for embedding applications such as Flash.

Mozilla ActiveX Control can be used by ReactOS to gain compatibility
with some Windows programs.

Gecko is the same engine that powers Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox and
numerous other rich content applications."

jasee

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Nov 5, 2006, 12:58:23 AM11/5/06

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Does this mean FF can display active-X content? I always thought the main
difference (and a security advantage) between FF and IE was that it couldn't
display active-X content, in particular active-X applications wouldn't run.
Has this changed in FF2? I though the only way to use active-x in FF was to
install plugins which supported the particular applications: macromedia
flash player plugin, quicktime and real for instance? Active-x 'controls'
generally wouldn't install?

I'm confused, can someone give a clear explanation, please.

Ron Hunter

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Nov 5, 2006, 1:58:32 AM11/5/06

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ActiveX is a Microsoft proprietary thing. Mozilla browsers don't run
ActiveX applets. There are plugins that will do some of the functions
done by ActiveX for multimedia applications, without the security
implications. Note that using extensions like IE Tab allow ActiveX to
function within the IE engine, in a Firefox window, so care must be
taken when doing this.

I hope that helps.

jasee

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Nov 5, 2006, 7:02:35 AM11/5/06

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Yes, it does for FF, thank you.
I hadn't realised how dangerous it was to run the IE engine within FF,
effectively then you are presumably only restricted by IE's security
settings for Active-X, it seems?

Ron Hunter

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Nov 5, 2006, 8:45:06 AM11/5/06

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When an ActiveX applet runs in a FF window using IE Tab, it is exactly
as if you are running IE at that point. The only thing that can protect
you is careful setting of the IE security features (IE7 is much better
at this for default settings), and a good firewall.
You should allow ActiveX applets only if you trust the website.

jasee

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Nov 5, 2006, 10:29:20 AM11/5/06

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At the moment, I'm using IE6 plus sp2, plus all the security fixes, plus
Kerio. I don't really want to change to IE7. It's bound to have holes
anyway.
I've never had a spyware problem, downloaded a trojan or had a virus, but I
am pretty careful.