A type of malware that uses common, dynamic scripting languages (e.g. Java, Javascript, Active X, or Visual Basic). Vulnerabilities in the scripting language are exploited to carry malicious code, which could be downloaded through a Web browser and executed on a local system without the user’s knowledge or consent. Malicious active content can be used for many criminal activities, including to deliver viruses and worms, send e-mail, record information from the local user, or to redirect users or content. Active content is also called mobile code.
See also active content.
