ActiveX

ActiveX control is a Microsoft term that is used to denote reusable software components that are based on Microsoft Component Object Model (COM). ActiveX controls provide encapsulated reusable functionality to programs and they are typically but not always visual in nature.

ActiveX controls are not inherently unsafe, especially when used within a development package like Visual Basic. In that context, assuming the author is trusted, they are no less safe than the other programming code the developer who uses the controls may write.