Microsoft Corporation's component software that duplicates some capabilities of Java. Based on object linking and embedding (OLE) technology, it allows inclusion of executable code in a document or webpage. In a networked environment (such as the Internet), it permits software components written in different programming languages to interact with one another via messaging aided by the Windows operating system. ActiveX controls are known to be inherently insecure through which unauthorized access to a computer may be obtained. See also Javabeans.