IE 6 and SWF files

[Two Bass Hit]

IE 6 has been acting quirky when I view webpages that contain a SWF file. For example, say a site is using an SWF file as the navigation. When I mouseover the navigation, the entire SWF file gets outlined and a balloon pops up that reads, "click to activate and use this control." Is there a security setting I need to turn off in IE 6? This used to not be an issue as far as I can remember. It's definitely a browser quirk. I test the same pages in other browsers and this is not an issue.

Thanks for any input

[Robin_reala]

This was rolled out as part of a security patch by Microsoft recently. It’s a compromise to evade patent litigation - a company called Eolas hold a patent for directly accessing embedded content in a web page (or similar).

If you’re a site admin then you can insert your Flash files (and other embedded content) using Javascript as apparently the patent only covered built in embedded content and not dynamically added stuff.

Otherwise you could switch to an alternative browser. Currently Eolas haven’t sued or hinted that they will sue any companies other than Microsoft.

[Two Bass Hit]

Thanks Robin