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'Active X Control' Message Displays during HP Software or Driver Download in Windows

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Microsoft implements security features in the operating system to make your computer more secure by telling you when a file might be harmful. However, these security features can also prevent a valid HP driver from installing if used incorrectly. Several tools that are available on the HP Web site can be interrupted during installation by the new security features. Knowing how to use the security features is an important part of avoiding download problems while still protecting your computer.
Use this document to learn more about these security features and how you can download drivers from HP while still keeping your computer secure.
About the new information bar
Figure 1: Initial message about the information bar
One important security addition from Microsoft is an information bar that is integrated with Internet explorer. This information bar displays important security information whenever a pop-up window, ActiveX control, or other Web item is blocked. Use this information to help in the decision to install or use the blocked item.
Also be aware of the Web site being used when the information bar displays the blue shield and text. A non-trusted site may install unwanted software, like spyware, onto the computer.
If the information bar blocks an item and is ignored, the activity (music, game, download, etc...) will not happen. Once the text in the information bar has been read and you have decided to allow the blocked item to open or install, click the blue shield to unblock or install the item and continue the activity.
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Downloading drivers and software from HP
HP has been providing drivers for customers on the HP support Web site for many years. Newer operating systems and Internet Explorer versions change the download experience that you may be familiar with. To learn more about these changes and how to download drivers, use the following steps:
  1. Browse to the driver download page for your HP or Compaq product and read the instructions on the page before continuing.
  2. Click the Download button on the download page.
    A Security Warning window appears before the download starts (see Figure 2).
    NOTE: The note at the bottom of the Security Warning window may state that the type of file you are going to download can harm the computer. The files downloaded from the HP Web site are not designed to harm the computer. Please disregard this message when downloading files from Hewlett-Packard.
    Figure 2: First Security Warning window
  3. If you want to download and save the file (to your hard drive), click Save , browse to a folder in the Save As window, and then click Save again.
    Or
    If you want to automatically start installing the driver as soon as it is done downloading and a Run button is available, click Run .
  4. If you chose to save the file, browse to the file and open it.
    Or
    If you selected Run, the file automatically attempts to run when it has finished downloading, but instead of opening and installing the downloaded file, a Security Warning window opens.
    In either case, you must click Run from the Security Warning window to install the driver. You can feel safe when clicking Run because the driver came from the HP Web site.
  5. After you click Run, the driver should be installed using the instructions that were read on the driver download page.
    NOTE: Many HP drivers do not contain digital signatures. The Security Warning window displays a red shield for these types of files. The file you downloaded from HP may appear harmful. Files downloaded from the Hewlett-Packard Web site are safe to install.
    Figure 3: Second Security Warning window
Using HP's download tools
HP also provides tools on HP's Web site that make downloading drivers much easier. HP's browser tools work by integrating with the Internet browser and running scripts to collect important information needed to perform the task. One example of an HP browser tool is the HP Printer Check. HP Printer Check quickly scans your computer for any printers that may be attached and provides links to any drivers or driver update that an attached printer may need.
Internet Explorer might block scripts like these and flash the information bar at the top of the viewing window. The information bar displays more information about the item that has been blocked so that you can decide if you want to allow the script to continue.
In order to use many of the tools that are available from the HP Web site, you must allow the items that Internet Explorer blocks to install or run. Run or install the items that Internet Explorer blocks by clicking the shield on the left side of the information bar. For more detailed information, use the following step-by-step example to learn how to use the HP Printer Check utility with these security features:
  1. Click an HP software download tool link to install the tool. For this example the link occurs at the top of many Deskjet printer driver download pages and appears as: Click here to have HP automatically check to see if you need a driver update.
  2. Once clicked, an informative window opens telling you more about the tool. To continue, click the Check Now button.
  3. To install the HP software tool, you must click the upper left corner of the information bar (by the shield) and authorize the first item in list. In this example, select Install ActiveX Control (see Figure 5). You can feel safe installing the ActiveX control because you know that it comes from the Hewlett-Packard Web site.
    CAUTION: Before installing ActiveX controls or authorizing scripts, read the text in the information bar and think about the Web site where the script is coming from. Do not continue if you do not know. Continuing could make your computer more susceptible to viruses or spyware.
    Figure 4: Information Bar message for a blocked control
  4. After authorizing the first item from the information bar, a security warning window appears. Again, consider the Web site where the item is coming from. In this example, you know it comes from the HP Web site. Click Install to continue.
    NOTE: The text at the bottom of the Security Warning window may state that the type of file you are going to install can harm the computer. Files from the Hewlett-Packard Web site are not designed to cause harm. Please disregard this message when downloading files from Hewlett-Packard.
  5. After clicking Install the tool installs and can be used to detect printers.
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Windows Security Alert messages (Firewall)
Software that uses the Internet can be affected by the enhancements to Microsoft's operating system firewall. Sometimes the firewall is turned on by default (depending on your operating system and Service Pack version). While this enhanced security feature is better at preventing viruses and spyware activities, it can also cause issues with other software. The Firewall can prevent the following types of software and activities from connecting and using the Internet:
  • Printer sharing
  • Updates from HP and BackWeb
  • Compaq Connections and BackWeb
  • Remote Assistance
  • Network Device Discovery
If the Firewall detects a network request, a Windows Security Alert window appears.
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In the Windows Security Alert window are three buttons: Keep Blocking, Unblock, and Ask Me Later.
Click Keep Blocking to prevent the software listed next to Name from receiving information over the Internet. Make sure you know the software before blocking it.
Click Unblock to create an exception for the software listed next to Name. An exception allows the software access to a network port. Exceptions are much more secure than fully opening a network port because the port is only open while the excepted software is using the connection. HP recommends unblocking any HP and Compaq software that came with or is used by the HP or product.
Click Ask Me Later to block the software. The next time the software is opened or the software attempts to access the Internet, another Windows Security Alert window will appear.
Alternatively, you can add any software that you want to allow to the Windows Firewall exception list. To do so, perform the following steps:
  1. Click Start , click Control Panel .
  2. Click Security Center , and then click Windows Firewall .
  3. Click the Exceptions tab, and then click the Add Program button.
  4. Select the software that you want to add from the list, and click OK .
For more information about the Windows operating system firewall, refer to the Microsoft support article: Understanding Windows Firewall .
NOTE: One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside of the HP Web site.


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