Is Adobe Flash at risk from Malware and rootkits-Firefox

[Steven Tyler]

Questions to Freepers using Firefox browser. I understood Adobe was open to hacking, malware and rootkits I use a Firefox browser. I have not been updating my Flash plug-in. Now, I cannot view embedded videos without updating Adobe Flash.

Are substitutes available? Are the newer versions of Adobe Flash now secure??

[TChad]

I understood Adobe was open to hacking, malware and rootkits

Yes. For example, see:

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-043A

I have not been updating my Flash plug-in.

Probably a bad idea. It is probably safest to always install the latest version.

Are the newer versions of Adobe Flash now secure??

Almost certainly not, but they should be more secure than the older versions.

Are substitutes available?

There are some interesting substitutes starting to appear, but AFAIK there is nothing yet that you can use as a fully-functional Flash replacement.

https://trisquel.info/en/wiki/play-videos-without-using-flash

Both Java and Flash seem to be prone to security problems. They are both also extremely useful programs. If you want to block active content in Firefox, you can use NoScript ( https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/noscript/ ), but you may not be happy with the reduced functionality of your Internet browsing.

[little jeremiah]

Oh, a tech thread - I need someone who knows more than me. (Most freepers).

I use Firefox, and just this afternoon when I turned my computer on, when I hit the Firefox button up came this:

http://www.msn.com/?pc=UP97&ocid=UP97DHP&dt=070513

Not Firefox start page. Any time I hit my Firefox button, that pops up.

So to get out of the msn.com page (I NEVER go there, ever), I hit the small Firefox button on the top that says “Getting started” and go from there.

As you can see, I am a tech idiot.

[TChad]

If you don't see File Edit View History etc at the top of your FF window, enable the Menu toolbar by right clicking in a gray area near the top of the FF window until you see "Menu Bar" displayed. Left click that, to enable the menu toolbar.

In the menu toolbar, click Help > About Firefox

If you are not running FF 22, you should probably update, though that may break some of your add-ons.

Then click Tools > Options

Select "When Firefox Starts Show My Home Page"

In the box after "Home Page," delete the msn.com URL and add the URL of the search engine you want to use. If you want Google, just enter

http://www.google.com

If you want Google searches without Google privacy problems, enter Startpage:

https://www.startpage.com

Or enter whatever home page you want.

[trebb]

Been using it on Firefox for years w/no problem. Of course, I don’t go hunting a bunch of videos from a lot of sources to view - I generally keep safe surfing in mind whenever on the web. Keep it updated for the best shot at security and minimize the stuff you view to “safe” sources. AVG Search bar helps keep you safe too.

[little jeremiah]

Thank you very much. I do have the “File Edit View History Bookmarks Tools Help” at the top, even when the stupid msn thing appears - and the Firefox orange circle is up there in the very L corner too. I have no idea why/how the msn thing appeared in the first place!

I will do all you suggested and see what happens, thanks.