Ramblings of an old Doc

 

You can’t ignore the latest update (11.2). That’s because it plugged a security hole.

Along with it came a new background updater which offers “automatic updating”.  So this is all about the shiny new automatic updater and how

to keep it’s functionality (updating) without adding updates to stuff you don’t have or necessarily want. The KISS principle: You want Adobe Flash updates only, so keep it simple.

 

OK. You’ve opted to update and on installing the update you’re going to see:

 

If you check “Done”, you’ve chosen to accept the updates “invisibly”. If that were all they were “pushing” to you, that’d be fine. Unfortunately, it isn’t.

The Updater checks once an hour for updates, because that’s the way Adobe set it. That’s good from the security point of view (i.e. Day Zero problems) if the updates have been checked and aren’t “borked”.

However, if you leave it set to “Install Updates Automatically”, the Updater may or may not push updates to McAfee Security Scan Plus or Iolo System Optimizer as well, without your knowledge or consent.

So… set it to “Notify me when updates are available” and control what you’re getting.

OK… let’s say you didn’t see that, were preoccupied, or decide to change it in the future. You can fix it via your control panel. Simply choose “Adobe Flash Player” and open the settings manager:

 

There. You fixed it.

 

Source:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/adobes-flash-update-push-automatic-updates-3rd-party-software


Comments
on Apr 05, 2012

Yup, I missed that, thanks Doc.

on Apr 05, 2012

Ah-hah!  Don't you hate it though when a dialog doesn't have anything resembling a conformation button? I'm closing the window by X-ing it and hoping the settings stay (same as when switching tabs)

I nearly always check "ask", Windows hates me because of it. I always tell it that it is fortunate I let it update at all.

 

on Apr 05, 2012

LizMarr
it is fortunate I let it update at all.

You might run into real problems by not letting Windows update itself. Software is quite different, don't let it update 'silently'. But, update. Otherwise, your computer will have security vulnerabilities.

on Apr 05, 2012

good catch....looks like I was giving it all free access.

on Apr 05, 2012

Heh... I just did this update before coming here.  It scares me that so many people let things update by themselves.

on Apr 05, 2012

.Net anyone?

on Apr 05, 2012

Fixed ! Thankz Doc.

on Apr 05, 2012

Thanks Doc....

 

on Apr 05, 2012

Simple solution: disable anything that wants to automatically update., And yes, I can ignore the latest update. Nothing updates on it's own on my systems.

on Apr 05, 2012

I prefer the third option in the first window. I choose to check for updates and install same manually, or have the software set to check for updates on launch. Nothing phones home on it's own.

Any updater that decides to put itself into start-up after an update (Java,Adobe and RealPlayer,among others) gets promptly removed from start-up by CCleaner. Just go to the tools section, Startup and disable or delete what you don't want. 

on Apr 05, 2012

Wizard1956
Nothing phones home on it's own.

Generally good - don't forget the flash cookies.

Except maybe Adobe Flash supercookies and flash cookies? Gotta get those creepies as well.

Flash cookies - Adobe Flash has its own cookie-like data storage feature, and it can even be (ab)used to respawn normal cookies you deleted (see this paper). It does not obey your settings for cookies - you have to use Adobe's Flash Settings Manager to configure it.There are however several utilities which will delete your Flash cookies. For Safari, try the Cookies extension. On FireFox, there's the BetterPrivacy add-on. Both allow deletion of Flash cookies (and even the folders that hold them) upon quit.

Why I use Pale Moon 11.2 - and BetterPrivacy 1.68. Removes LSO's (flash cookies) on exiting the browser.

on Apr 05, 2012

Good point Doc. Not all cookies are bad though or I'd have every girl scout shot. Seriously though, there are reasons to keep some cookies, I'm not paranoid enough to block and or delete each and every one of them.

on Apr 05, 2012

The Norton sub ran out today on my Toshiba, I was waiting for that. Got rid of Norton and reinstalled MalwareBytes, MSE and Threatfire. MalwareBytes scans for intelligent cookies and gives you the option of keeping or deleting certain ones. You can exclude or include the ones you want to keep. The ones from WC and yahoo I keep. All the others go bye bye.