Web page windows show an ALERT for Adobe Flash Player

[Dottonedan]

I keep getting this Web page window ALERT for Adobe Flash Player stating that I need to update Adobe Flash Player or I am at risk of VIRUS etc.


I close them out thinking that they are a VIRUS wanting to load spam themselves.
Anyone get this or am I ok to download this "Adobe Flash update" ?  Pops up every night.


I'll also say, that I have noticed I already have some kind of spam virus that will pop up websites and I can't locate where to find them and get rid of them considering I know nothing about what I "need" in my programs folders and what I can get rid of.

[inkman996]

Read the article linked below. Ransom virus is not something you ever ever want to deal with.
http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/fake-adobe-flash-update-installs-ransomware-performs-click-fraud

When in doubt always go directly to the softwares site and update etc.
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

[ebscreen]

Flash is probably the number one way to get infected these days, aside from opening links in emails, etc.
They put out updates just about every other day because the damn thing is so vulnerable.

All computers here have it turned off with the availability to enable it on a page by page basis.
Strongly recommend the same. NoScript for FireFox is pretty albeit annoying at first.

If you already have viruses, scan your computer and be prepared to start from scratch as lot of
malware these days gets rooted so deep it's easier and better to start over.

Lastly, a group of computer scientists ended up breaking the algorithm on the Cryptolocker virus that
terrorized folks six months ago. I meant to post it here for the guy that got hit by it but forgot.
They'll send you the key, even for cases that went past their ransom date.

[Colin]

I have been seeing the same page for over a month now.  I first noticed it, and almost every time since, when I visit TheChive.com


The first time, I clicked on accident - I was really tired - and it was a virus.... several....  Our paid comp service took care of it, but it was about 2 hours to take care of everything.

[mimosatexas]

You should be using a browser that will automatically check to make sure add-ons and plugins are up to date and download them from the official source (firefox/chrome/etc).  If a website is telling you something is out of date, it is likely an attempt to get you to install malware.

I use firefox with noscript and adblock and I haven't had a virus in years on multiple computers.

[Colin]

I only use Chrome.....

[mimosatexas]

The first part of my post wasn't directed specifically at you, just a general note about flash and update prompts.  You should NEVER click on a prompt to update anything in your browser, and if you use a modern browser you simply shouldn't have to...

I know people like chrome, but firefox with noscript and adblock is much more secure when it comes to malware.  Chrome unfortunately doesn't have any add-ons with the same protective power as noscript, though you can disable javascript and allow it when necessary, it just isn't an elegant or completely safe alternative.

[Dottonedan]

WOW,  so good to know. Thanks guys.   I figured as much. I just kept deleting the window but it would then pop up again in another format, thus supporting the idea that it was malware or a virus of some sort. It "didn't want me to close out.


I use Safari all the time. I just like the environment but don't have a prob switching.


How is Safari supposed to stand up? Apparently not that good. LOL.

[mimosatexas]

If you're on a mac and using safari you are safer than say using IE on a windows machine, but there is still plenty of malware for macs and safari is not the safest option.  If you REALLY don't want to ever get a virus, your best bet is something like Aviator, which is basically a super stripped down and super secure browser.  The safety comes at the cost of ease of use when browsing though.  Firefox with things like noscript and adblock that let you pick and choose what sites to whitelist and allow scripts on will protect you very well without interfering with daily use once you have tweaked them to your liking, and any casual browsing around will not open you to malware infection unless you make a mistake in allowing a script or clicking on an ad or installing something.

[Gilligan]

As already said, number one way ppl get infected.  I'm in the trenches, I see it daily.

I'll send a beautiful "new" computer out and literally the next day be getting a call telling me they clicked on this.  "Bring it back" is all I can say... Another $75-$90 bucks in my pocket but I hate to see ppl fall for these things.  Each receipt has some instructions on best practices but no one reads them.