How safe is it to leave Java and ActiveX in place?

[packman 0]

How safe is it to leave instances of Java and ActiveX in place? Microsoft Antispyware Beta (MSAS)lists eight instances of ActiveX, for instance, the vast majority of which I recognise and some that I definitely downloaded from trusted sites in order to run specific tests on my PC.

 

MSAS regards all of them as benign at present, though it doesn't recognise Direct Animation Java Classes.

 

Anyone know much about Java and ActiveX?

[peterh 1]

ActiveX controls are pretty safe as long as you don't download them constantly. Windows XP SP2 has a good 'Manage Add ons' facility on the tools menu to keep track of them.

 

Ideally, you should configure security on IE Internet Options to block unsafe or unsigned ActiveX controls on Internet zone.

 

Java is regularly updated so keep it upto date is important to fix any security holes. Current is Java 1.5 from Sun's website (remember to uninstall previous versions).