Mac computers may not be as vulnerable to virus and malware attacks, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. Adware is just as annoying and, if the recent attempt to the US defense industry is any indication, it can be exploited as well. But the latest update could save you the trouble.
Recently, Adobe Flash Player has released version 24.0.0.221 that addressed critical vulnerabilities in Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. The patch will fix heap buffer overflow, integer overflow, memory corruption, type confusion, and user-after-free security flaws that can result in code execution.
In Chrome, Flash Player will automatically be updated to the latest Google Chrome version, so you can rest assured the version you have is the latest. As you can see, it’s pretty simple to find out which versions of software you are running.
On a Mac, the affected versions are 24.0.0.194 and earlier versions of the Adobe Flash Player Desktop Runtime, and 24.0.0.194 and earlier versions of the Adobe Flash Player for Google Chrome.
Although Safari may not be included in the list, it is best to ensure its Flash Player is the latest version, especially if it is enabled. Disabling the player may be one option to protect against the runtime’s vulnerabilities, but some websites and videos may not work.
So the best recourse is to update Adobe Flash Player on Mac.
How to Update Flash on Mac
- Open the Spotlight app by pressing command key and space bar on your keyboard.
- Type in the search bar ‘Flash Player’.
- From the search return, look for Flash Player under System Preferences and then open it.
- On the pop-up window, click on the Updates tab, and then click on the Check Now button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update Adobe Flash Player.
If you have the latest version, you should get a message about No New Updates.
Make sure that you only update using this process rather than download the file manually from a website other than the official Adobe page. This is one way to avoid falling victim to phishing and bringing to your door malware that is capable of targeting the Biomed Sector, the US defense industry, and many others.
Adobe Flash Player for Mac lets you access Flash content in Web sites when using browsers like OS X's Safari. The plug-in integrates seamlessly and through a preference pane, gives you control over the type of access each Web site has to your system. The only downside to using it is that it suffers from performance issues.
Pros
Configurable: The plug-in adds a new preference pane in System Preferences where you will be able to adjust your local storage, camera, mic and peer-assisted networking settings to either allow the feature for all Web sites, on a per-request basis, or to deny all requests.
Per-site settings: All the features listed above support per-site settings for even more precise control.
Advanced options: The app lets you delete all Flash-related data and settings as well as audio and video license files, deauthorize the computer, and access trusted locations for developer testing.
Cons
Performance issues: Despite its long history with OS X, this software tends to slow down your computer and drain your battery.
Bottom Line
Download The Latest Adobe Flash Player
If you're constantly visiting Flash-based Web sites, you will have to install either this plug-in, or a browser like Google Chrome, which has built-in Flash support. Generally, the better way to go would be to use Chrome since there will be a lower performance impact on your system. But if Chrome is not your kind of browser, then this plug-in remains a viable solution for enjoying Flash content on your Mac.