Solution:
Microsoft created ActiveX to let Web designers add special effects to their Web pages. Because browsers read and execute ActiveX content automatically, crackers can take advantage of security loopholes to launch malicious code on other people's PCs. You can turn off ActiveX completely in IE, but that poses a problem because OE uses IE's security settings to determine what content it can read. OE allows email messages containing ActiveX code, so if you receive such a message when ActiveX support is disabled in IE, you'll get an error when OE tries to activate the program.
Bad things can happen when the wrong ActiveX control is executed, so you may want to see this "error message." When it pops up, your security settings are working. In fact, email messages with embedded ActiveX code likely contain a virus or other malicious payload, so keep a tight rein on your ActiveX security settings. If you're sure an email message with an ActiveX control is legitimate or you want to enable ActiveX for another reason, install the latest version of IE6 along with the latest security patches from Microsoft (www.microsoft.com/windows). Older versions of IE are not as secure as IE6, especially when it comes to ActiveX. If you insist on using an older version, download and install the latest Service Packs for IE5.5/5.1, which are available at the IE home page.
Launch IE, click Tools and Internet Options, and choose the Security tab. Select the Internet icon, click Custom Level, and look for ActiveX Controls and Plug-Ins at the top of the window. To enable ActiveX while maintaining some security, set Download Signed ActiveX controls to Prompt, Run ActiveX Controls And Plug-Ins to Enable, and Script ActiveX Controls Marked Safe For Scripting to Enable. Set the Download Unsigned ActiveX Controls and Initialize And Script ActiveX Control Not Marked As Safe entries to Disable. Click OK and most ActiveX controls will run. To turn off ActiveX, change all settings to Disable.
If recipients see the ActiveX error message when you send an email via OE, it's likely because the software is set up to embed ActiveX controls in your email messages by using virtual stationery. To turn this off, launch OE, click Tools, Options, and Compose. If either the Mail or News boxes are checked in the Stationery section, clear them and click Apply. If you really want to play it safe, select the Send tab, set the Mail Sending Format radio button to Plain Text, and take the check mark out of the Reply To Messages Using The Format In Which They Were Sent box. If you send messages using plain text with no frills, nobody should have any trouble reading them.
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