Excellent news. Internet Explorer is going to start blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls starting August 12, 2014

“As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a more secure browser, starting August 12th Internet Explorer will block out-of-date ActiveX controls. ActiveX controls are small apps that let Web sites provide content, like videos and games, and let you interact with content like toolbars. Unfortunately, because many ActiveX controls aren’t automatically updated, they can become outdated as new versions are released. It’s very important that you keep your ActiveX controls up-to-date because malicious or compromised Web pages can target security flaws in outdated controls to collect information, install dangerous software, or by let someone else control your computer remotely.”

Cite: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2014/08/06/internet-explorer-begins-blocking-out-of-date-activex-controls.aspx

The protection only applies to Windows 7 SP1, IE8+ and Windows 8+ (desktop version) but, does not protect you if the site you are visiting is set to run in the Local Intranet Zone or Trusted Sites Zone.  And, it will only block older versions of Java for now.