Is Macromedia Flash safe?

[SuperP]

I have recently encountered web sites and greeting cards that require use of the Macromedia Flash plug in. I note that it installs Active-X controls, so I am cautious about it. Can someone who knows for sure please tell me if this prog is free of spyware and other nasties?

[Acadia]

In and of itself, Macromedia Flash is OK. The problem is that, like everything used by pcs these days, the "bad guys" have figured out a way to use it against you. So, if you know that the website you are at is trustworthy and legit, then it’s ok to use. But it can be used against you. One of the great freeware/donationware programs that is available in this forum, SpywareBlaster, has an option to disable Macromedia Flash. Good luck.

Acadia

[SuperP]

Thank you Acadia. I would take that as a thumbs down. I did note in their privacy policy that Macromedia use Double Click for their ads. That too would be a thumbs down.

I will stay clear of Flash unless and until I have solid advice to the contrary.

[libbo1]

U miss out on a lot of content by dismissing flash out of hand. If you have your defenses set up appropriately, u should be ok (especially .exe protection). The moz. browsers have flash control. There are others too.

and . . . just IMHO!

[SuperP]

Thanks libbo1. That is my wife's comment, and she's keen to get that content. I use SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard along with Kerio PFW. What is your opinion of other protection that ought to be used with Flash?

[Acadia]

SuperP, like I said in my previous post, SpywareBlaster can completely disable Flash for you. If you ever want to use Flash, simply re-enable it for a particular web site, and when you are finished with that web site use SpywareBlaster to disable it once again.

Acadia

[SuperP]

Ah good, I get you now. Thanks Acadia. And what about all the Double Click things, do I simply rely on SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster while using Flash?

[Acadia]

If you are using Internet Explorer 6 you can set it up to permanently block the DoubleClick cookie, in fact, you can set it up to block ALL tracker cookies.

Acadia

[libbo1]

The disable fxn with SWBlaster is a good option. I run with flash all the time. And I usually run 'clean-up' appys like spybot and adaware frequently, epecially if i have been busy on the web. Read up and learn about HiJack this. Post a log of HJT in this or any appropriate forum then save the resulting clean-up to a file (like notepad). Then u can always run HJT and see if u may have picked up the 'baddies". With what u have (assuming u have a daily run AV program) IMHO u will be fine!

If my parents (with 8 grandchildren) couldnt run flash, seriously, they would be very unhappy!

[SuperP]

Thank you both again libbo1 (the grandparents thing is most relevant)and Acadia. You have given me plenty to go with. I have seen numerous references to HJT in the forums, but have never felt the need to use it myself. OK, I will give that a go too.