Adobe Flash...Make Sure You're Up-To-Date

a435843 · February 5th, 2015, 06:27 AM

If you use Flash (especially since the tube sites are no good without it), please make sure that it's up-to-date, or set it to automatically update. There have been three "zero-day" exploits, quite dangerous in fact, in the past week. Two have been patched and the third is still in the rollout phase. This is a rather nasty situation, even by general Internet standards, and something to watch for. The cryptoviruses seem to be doubling down on this type of exploit recently.

If you use Firefox, or a similar browser, either download and install the new version, or check the Flash control panel applet, making sure automatic updates are enabled. If you use a Mac & Firefox or Safari, I believe there is a control panel applet as well that you can check, but if this is not the case, please reply to this thread.

If you're a Chrome user, or a Linux user, you should receive updates automatically, as those platforms generally include Flash with their automatic updates (Chrome including it with the software itself).

If you're an IE user, you still should check the Flash control panel applet to verify the latest version (16.0.0.305), as IE sometimes automatically updates, and sometimes doesn't, depending on settings.

Of course, you should be doing the standard things to keep yourself safe:

Use the click-to-play feature in your browser, if available, or a flash blocking add-on (like Flashblock in Firefox), which provides a similar function, if available. Since the primary attack vector for these exploits is ad networks, consider an ad or script blocking add-on, as well, such as Adblock Plus.
Keep your OS as up-to-date as possible. Also, keep your browser and any other plug-ins that you might be using as up-to-date as possible. If you're not using something (Java being an excellent case), uninstall it. I know this is a rehash of past threads, but get off of XP if at all possible.
In general, stick to Chrome, Firefox, or one of the Firefox clones, like Pale Moon; avoid IE. Safari is probably OK.
Don't click on anything if you don't know exactly what it is, such as some random ad, an e-mail attachment, etc.
Keep a good anti-virus program up-to-date...just Google "free anti-virus reviews", and an appropriate list will follow. Also, a separate, free malware scanner, such as Malwarebytes, is an extra layer of protection and a good idea to run at least weekly.

If I missed any of the big tips, please reply...thanks.

**MrInBetween** · February 7th, 2015, 11:20 AM

Firefox: I got a message when I tried to play a YouTube video that Flash was out-of-date (I don't have automatic updates for it). When I clicked on the link to update it, I was told that it was already up-to-date! This has happened to me before - the Firefox plugins update check doesn't seem to work properly for Flash. So instead I go to the Adobe page here, which detects what is necessary for any particular system. I'm also able to see if the version number offered is higher than the one I've already got in my plugins (where it is confusingly labelled 'Shockwave Flash').

**pharoahegypt** · February 7th, 2015, 03:12 PM

When you install latest Firefox, then test it by going to YT you get a warning saying you don't have flash player installed; however it vanishes as the video loads and plays... Odd that. It doesn't pop up as an error second time of asking though.

pgpilot · February 7th, 2015, 04:50 PM

I have clicked on links on several sites and a get a webpage that is masquerading as the Flash update website. DO NOT UPDATE YOUR FLASH PLAYER FROM A RE-DIRECTED SITE. If you think you flash player is out of date goto http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ and no other site.

a435843 · February 7th, 2015, 06:44 PM

On the previous questions, FF does label it as "Shockwave Flash". However, YouTube recently transitioned to the use of an HTML5 player, standard with most browsers (the videos themselves are the same, just the player is different, as it's preloaded with the browser). YT has almost entirely converted away from Flash.

So, if you don't have Flash loaded, videos should still play automatically, though you might receive a temporary error message, based on browser settings, such as the Flash object Application selection. In this case, no action needs to be taken, at least in regards to functionality & safety.

However, if you can't get YT videos to load at all, make sure your browser is updated, and clear out the browser cache, cookies, history, everything. That should allow your browser to load automatically the HTML5 player and the video, at least eventually. Also, I would check the Flash Control Panel applet, rather than FF to verify the status of your plug-in.

**MrInBetween** · February 7th, 2015, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a435843

YouTube recently transitioned to the use of an HTML5 player, standard with most browsers (the videos themselves are the same, just the player is different, as it's preloaded with the browser). YT has almost entirely converted away from Flash.

That hasn't quite worked its way through to Firefox and Pale Moon yet. You can check (and change) which one your browser uses here. Cookies must be enabled to change the setting. 'Default player' on this page means Flash as opposed to HTML - though whether the same terminology is used if it's viewed in browsers other than the two mentioned - that is, currently defaulting to Flash - I don't know.

February 5th, 2015, 06:27 AM	#1
a435843 I got myself banned Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 582 Thanks: 2,249 Thanked 5,433 Times in 566 Posts	Adobe Flash...Make Sure You're Up-To-Date If you use Flash (especially since the tube sites are no good without it), please make sure that it's up-to-date, or set it to automatically update. There have been three "zero-day" exploits, quite dangerous in fact, in the past week. Two have been patched and the third is still in the rollout phase. This is a rather nasty situation, even by general Internet standards, and something to watch for. The cryptoviruses seem to be doubling down on this type of exploit recently. If you use Firefox, or a similar browser, either download and install the new version, or check the Flash control panel applet, making sure automatic updates are enabled. If you use a Mac & Firefox or Safari, I believe there is a control panel applet as well that you can check, but if this is not the case, please reply to this thread. If you're a Chrome user, or a Linux user, you should receive updates automatically, as those platforms generally include Flash with their automatic updates (Chrome including it with the software itself). If you're an IE user, you still should check the Flash control panel applet to verify the latest version (16.0.0.305), as IE sometimes automatically updates, and sometimes doesn't, depending on settings. Of course, you should be doing the standard things to keep yourself safe: Use the click-to-play feature in your browser, if available, or a flash blocking add-on (like Flashblock in Firefox), which provides a similar function, if available. Since the primary attack vector for these exploits is ad networks, consider an ad or script blocking add-on, as well, such as Adblock Plus. Keep your OS as up-to-date as possible. Also, keep your browser and any other plug-ins that you might be using as up-to-date as possible. If you're not using something (Java being an excellent case), uninstall it. I know this is a rehash of past threads, but get off of XP if at all possible. In general, stick to Chrome, Firefox, or one of the Firefox clones, like Pale Moon; avoid IE. Safari is probably OK. Don't click on anything if you don't know exactly what it is, such as some random ad, an e-mail attachment, etc. Keep a good anti-virus program up-to-date...just Google "free anti-virus reviews", and an appropriate list will follow. Also, a separate, free malware scanner, such as Malwarebytes, is an extra layer of protection and a good idea to run at least weekly. If I missed any of the big tips, please reply...thanks.

February 7th, 2015, 11:20 AM	#2
MrInBetween R.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 3,934 Thanks: 51,364 Thanked 48,453 Times in 3,898 Posts	Firefox: I got a message when I tried to play a YouTube video that Flash was out-of-date (I don't have automatic updates for it). When I clicked on the link to update it, I was told that it was already up-to-date! This has happened to me before - the Firefox plugins update check doesn't seem to work properly for Flash. So instead I go to the Adobe page here, which detects what is necessary for any particular system. I'm also able to see if the version number offered is higher than the one I've already got in my plugins (where it is confusingly labelled 'Shockwave Flash'). __________________ I'm sorry Gentlemen, that's all the lipstick around the nipple we have time for To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

February 7th, 2015, 03:12 PM	#3
pharoahegypt Vintage Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middle England Posts: 4,491 Thanks: 10,176 Thanked 43,619 Times in 4,154 Posts	When you install latest Firefox, then test it by going to YT you get a warning saying you don't have flash player installed; however it vanishes as the video loads and plays... Odd that. It doesn't pop up as an error second time of asking though. __________________ Arguing with a intelligent person is hard; but arguing with a stupid person is impossible!

February 7th, 2015, 04:50 PM	#4
pgpilot Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 69 Thanks: 358 Thanked 858 Times in 60 Posts	I have clicked on links on several sites and a get a webpage that is masquerading as the Flash update website. DO NOT UPDATE YOUR FLASH PLAYER FROM A RE-DIRECTED SITE. If you think you flash player is out of date goto http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ and no other site.

February 7th, 2015, 06:44 PM	#5
a435843 I got myself banned Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 582 Thanks: 2,249 Thanked 5,433 Times in 566 Posts	On the previous questions, FF does label it as "Shockwave Flash". However, YouTube recently transitioned to the use of an HTML5 player, standard with most browsers (the videos themselves are the same, just the player is different, as it's preloaded with the browser). YT has almost entirely converted away from Flash. So, if you don't have Flash loaded, videos should still play automatically, though you might receive a temporary error message, based on browser settings, such as the Flash object Application selection. In this case, no action needs to be taken, at least in regards to functionality & safety. However, if you can't get YT videos to load at all, make sure your browser is updated, and clear out the browser cache, cookies, history, everything. That should allow your browser to load automatically the HTML5 player and the video, at least eventually. Also, I would check the Flash Control Panel applet, rather than FF to verify the status of your plug-in.