Active X, computer asking me if I want to install, what bad things could happen if I say yes?

[Linnet]

A genealogy group I used to go to has moved and to get into the new chat room the computer is now asking me if I want to install Active X, along with dire warnings about how it could be bad for my computer.

How bad is Active X? What could it do to my computer if I installed it?

I really want to get back to my group but at the same time I'm wary of adding anything to my computer that could be potentially bad for it.

Any advice? Will it be ok to add Active X or should I avoid at all costs?

thanks

bump

Active X is a name for a type of program, rather than a specific one - an Active X control is used for things like gathering data, viewing some types of files, and displaying animations.

There can be good and bad ones - even ones installed by 'good' sites if they are not well-written, can have flaws that can be exploited by 'bad' sites, as they are designed to have some control over Windows.

Basically you have to decide whether you trust the website (a) not to have malicious intentions and (b) to be using a well-written ActiveX control.

You should get an information box before you install the control, giving the publisher's details; you could try googling this to see if there have been any reported problems.

If the site is one of the mainstream genealogy sites it's probably OK.