For those who use Flash and have not heard the news:
Adobe Flash Player Warning
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Laundress
thanks for the heads up! I updated my Flash just now.
Eddie
thanks for the heads up! I updated my Flash just now.
Eddie
Adobe Flash Player is updated quite often. It's supposed to update itself (unless the user opts during the initial installation to not let it do so) but I've noticed that there may be a lag of a couple weeks or more until an update auto-triggers.
Full, off-line installers for Windows OS can be fetched from here. Scroll down to Step 8.
Adobe Flash Player
Don't really care for Flash
It is like Java, often more bother than it is worth and easily exploited by any script kiddie with a bored afternoon. However have found totally disabling Flash and or seeking prompts before it starts is either annoying or frustrating.
In fact as more and more sites build media content in many just will not work correctly without Flash.
It is like Java, often more bother than it is worth and easily exploited by any script kiddie with a bored afternoon. However have found totally disabling Flash and or seeking prompts before it starts is either annoying or frustrating.
In fact as more and more sites build media content in many just will not work correctly without Flash.
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
wait?
I thought chrome, firefox, edge and IE auto updated the flash player plugin. Aren't they built into the browser, so that if they browser itself is up to date, so is the plugin? I don't have anything standalone flash that I know of....
I thought chrome, firefox, edge and IE auto updated the flash player plugin. Aren't they built into the browser, so that if they browser itself is up to date, so is the plugin? I don't have anything standalone flash that I know of....
Follow the link I posted above. Click the Check Now button under Step 1 to check what version of Flash is installed. Check separately for each browser you use. The current updated version is 21.0.0.213.
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
Ok I just did it says
I have version 21.0.0.216 (I'm using Chrome)
I have version 21.0.0.216 (I'm using Chrome)
My computer had already done the update automatically. Or perhaps it was Avast. Anyway I have the newest version. And I'm using the Avast Safe Zone browser now. I hope I'm secure for now.
NoScript & HTML5 for me
SeaMonkey naturally supports HTML5, where Flash might normally be used.
In addition, I take care of "nasty surprises" with NoScript, and only allow pages when stuff starts not working. Aside from some interesting placement issues on "JavaSludge Infested" websites, its great.
SeaMonkey naturally supports HTML5, where Flash might normally be used.
In addition, I take care of "nasty surprises" with NoScript, and only allow pages when stuff starts not working. Aside from some interesting placement issues on "JavaSludge Infested" websites, its great.
If more people/systems disabled Java and Flash the infection rates from malware and other computer nasty things would plummet. Most don't need one or the other and again both are easily exploitable.
The Time article linked above (and other sources) state that Flash version 20.0.0.306 and earlier are fully vulnerable to the exploit.
Version 21.0.0.182 and later supposedly already have a mitigation that wards-off the full exploit but does cause a crash of Flash content (and presumably the browser).
One source dated today advises that "a patch could be released as soon as Thursday."
Mon ... Tue ... Wed ... Thu
So possibly the latest version available now is not yet fully patched.
Once read an Internet security article
Where the author suggested having two computers; one used for the Internet and another that goes no where near. Supposedly one kept important files and so forth on the system that had no access to the outside world as it were.
This "ransomware" is becoming a big thing. Major corporations, businesses of all sizes, hospitals and others are falling prey.
Where the author suggested having two computers; one used for the Internet and another that goes no where near. Supposedly one kept important files and so forth on the system that had no access to the outside world as it were.
This "ransomware" is becoming a big thing. Major corporations, businesses of all sizes, hospitals and others are falling prey.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I've used the two computer model as described by Launderess, although it wasn't about security on the Internet. It was a factor that the cheapest way I could get Internet support was a used Windows computer, on which I ran Linux. (The choice of Linux was influenced by security, but there are other reasons I prefer to avoid Windows.) But...10 years ago, Linux was more than good enough for Internet--at least for my needs--but I wasn't happy with other applications. So I kept an older Macintosh in service to handle my other needs. Bonus: having a work computer isolated from the Internet means no Internet distractions.
But...I migrated to using one computer that would do everything for me day to day. This became possible because the application software improved for Linux. But another factor became more of a factor: it's harder and harder functioning without the Internet. For example, with writing--a major task I've had for computers since I got my first computer--I use the Internet for research more now. (This is partly a function of what I write.) These days, I seldom print--anything going to others is sent by some electronic system, mostly e-mail. And so it seems a lot simpler keeping everything on one system.
But...I migrated to using one computer that would do everything for me day to day. This became possible because the application software improved for Linux. But another factor became more of a factor: it's harder and harder functioning without the Internet. For example, with writing--a major task I've had for computers since I got my first computer--I use the Internet for research more now. (This is partly a function of what I write.) These days, I seldom print--anything going to others is sent by some electronic system, mostly e-mail. And so it seems a lot simpler keeping everything on one system.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I have had periods of not having or using Flash, including recent history. I can't say I miss it. The biggest issue was YouTube, but now it seems like everything on YouTube plays with HTML5. Even years back, though, there were YouTube workarounds. At one point, I was running a PowerPC computer that did not have Flash support, but some Firefox extension allowed YouTube videos to be downloaded, and it was possible play them locally. While that was less convenient, it at least worked.
Am loving Youtube's embrace of HTML5
Reliance on Flash was one of the reasons gave up on disabling and or requiring prompts for Flash. Still require ActiveX to ask permission however.
Reliance on Flash was one of the reasons gave up on disabling and or requiring prompts for Flash. Still require ActiveX to ask permission however.
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
I read that adblock helps a lot too
the addon for chrome firefox, and most all browsers. I'm not sure why? I'm thinking when someone visits a site that has ad's all over it, some of those ad's are flash based, and could contain the virus, and even though you may have flash installed, when adblock blocks the ad, it can't infect you? How true this is, I don't know. But I can say that adblock blocks everything, even youtube ad's...
When I got my new laptop a few weeks ago, I had forgotten to add adblock, and I went to youtube, and I was shocked at all of the ads that I'm not used to.
the addon for chrome firefox, and most all browsers. I'm not sure why? I'm thinking when someone visits a site that has ad's all over it, some of those ad's are flash based, and could contain the virus, and even though you may have flash installed, when adblock blocks the ad, it can't infect you? How true this is, I don't know. But I can say that adblock blocks everything, even youtube ad's...
When I got my new laptop a few weeks ago, I had forgotten to add adblock, and I went to youtube, and I was shocked at all of the ads that I'm not used to.
It appears that the hijacking attacks are aimed at Windows 10 users. Another reason not to use Win-10. I tried it last year when it came out, but it kept freezing my computer. Struggled with it for about 10 hours, then got back in thru safe mode and uninstalled 10.
I've been using Windows 10 on both my laptop and desktop ever since it came out and have had no issues with it.
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