Website Building Tips

ActiveX	Active X is Microsoft technology that allows software components to interact with one another in a networked environment, regardless of the language in which the components were created. These internet applications are a whole lot more powerful than simple scripts. ActiveX only works in Internet Explorer and we do not advocate their use on your website and recommend extreme caution should you have cause for any dealings with ActiveX. There are two types of Active X applications: - 1. "un-signed"(not certified - and definitely not to be trusted). 2. "signed" - certified - but should also be treated with caution and only trusted if from a website well known by you as they can still contain malicious code. Make sure your IE settings for ActiveX are "prompt" enabled so that you are asked each time a website tries to load an ActiveX Application. Because ActiveX control is a user interface element, it makes integration and reuse of software components easy for dialers and hijackers.

Adware	Similar to spyware, and sometimes an off-shoot of spyware, which collects aggregated usage information for delivering advertisements that are especially tailored to your habits without you requesting them.

Affiliate	Someone who links to a company to promote them by selling their product(s) and/or refer others to sign up as affiliates, in return for a commission.

Associate	Someone who joins with a company in a professional manner as an ally or partner to refer others and/or promote their products(s) in return for a commission.

Browser	A program or software (such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL etc.) that is installed on your computer to enable you to navigate between websites when you are connected to the internet.


Browser Helper Object (BHO)	BHO's are programs that are used for extending Internet Explorer such as add on toolbars and additional hidden functions. However, BHO's often use an ActiveX installation program and, as BHO's have access to each URL you visit, browser hijackers, spyware and adware can make use of these by setting up advertisements or redirects to sites or pages that you haven't requested. They can also be used to track your movement on the internet.


Browser Hijacker	A small program or registry setting that changes IE start and search pages. If your browsers start page suddenly changes without you doing anything, it is a good possibility that your browser has been hijacked through a "security hole" on your system or by a file containing an ActiveX program that the hijacker has managed to install that will restore the hijacked settings upon each system start.


Dialers	This is a very small program, often installed using the ActiveX technology which often promises access to free porn, games or cracks for commercial software. Once installed, a dialer offers to use your dial-up device to call in to the service - sometimes leaving an expensive number as your default internet connection. You find out about it when you get your next bill!


Firewall	Firewalls are used for secure access and control for data transfers between two or more computers or networks, including internet connections. there are two types of firewall - software (installed on your computer) and hardware (external box).


HTML	Stands for Hypertext Markup Language


IP Address	An IP address is the temporary "address" of your browser as allocated by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) each time you access the internet.


Keyloggers	Will log the keys you press, make screenshots to show the spy what windows you are working with, capture information about your internet use, plus anything else they can detect. This is all done remotely!


Spyware	Software that is usually "caught" rather than deliberately allowed onto your system by you. The aim of the spyware "owner" is to transmit personally identifiable information from your computer to some place in the internet without your permission or knowledge.


Tracking Cookies	Advertisement companies often set cookies whenever your browser loads a banner from them. If that cookie contains a GUID, the company gets notice about every site you visit that contains their ads. Affiliate sites also use cookies so that they can track your affiliate link activity in order to pay you. You can block cookies in general and "allow" cookies to sites that you have dealings with.


Trojan Horse (or Trojan)	Program containing malicious code, that has infiltrated your computer without your knowledge and allows, for instance, persons using another computer to connect to yours over a network. Trojans can be physically placed, accidentally installed by you via infected email attachments. Typical trojans are open to anyone trying to connect via network or internet. Special trojans are for accessibility only by the person who infected your computer. Outsiders using a trojan on your computer can watch your behavior (like a "keylogger") manipulate your computer to do anything that you can do using your keyboard and mouse.