Before Internet Explorer 6 SP2 was released as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2, the browser would automatically display an installation window for any ActiveX component that a website wanted to install. The combination of user ignorance about these changes, and the assumption by Internet Explorer that all ActiveX components are benign, helped to spread spyware significantly. Many spyware components would also make use of exploits in JavaScript, Internet Explorer and Windows to install without user knowledge or permission.
Before Internet Explorer 6 SP2 was released as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2 the browser would automatically display an installation window for any ActiveX component that a website wanted to install The combination of user ignorance about these changes and the assumption by Internet Explorer that all ActiveX components are benign helped to spread spyware significantly Many spyware components would also make use of exploits in JavaScript Internet Explorer and Windows to install without user knowledge or permission