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Apple Auto-Disables Old Flash Players In Mac OS X 10.7.4

Posted by timothy on from the for-your-own-good dept.

wiredmikey writes "Just released, and coming in at 370 MB in size, the Mac OS X 10.7.4 update includes general OS fixes, and addresses more than 30 security vulnerabilities. But aside from typical security fixes, Apple has made an interesting move in an effort to protect users. Through this latest software update, Safari 5.1.7 will now automatically disable older — and typically more vulnerable — versions of the Adobe Flash player. While many software vendors would prefer OS makers to keep their hands off their software, the move appears to be welcomed by Adobe, which has constantly battled vulnerabilities in its widely installed Flash Player."

4 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. Re:370 MB? by tonywong · · Score: 4, Informative

    Delta updates are sent via Apple Software Update which, in theory, is customized to patch a specific system model (Mac Pro or iMac or MacBook Air etc.). This means they can vary in size.

    However, I've found that delta updates can be more problematic and not patch everything that needs to be updated, which can lead to odd crashes and other funky behaviour.

    In my experience, I skip the software updates for delta releases and download the combo updater which has the kitchen sink mentality of updating.

    Link here (1.4GB) for standard install 10.7.4:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1524

    1.5GB for Mac OS X Server 10.7.4:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1529

  2. Re:Imagine by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 4, Informative

    He has no valid point. This something that Adobe wanted them to do to help fight Flash player exploits. And you can always reenable your vulnerable Flash player if you want.

  3. Re:Imagine by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Informative

    I think a notification/warning would be nice prior to purging it from the system. Maybe it does, I don't know. But at least let the owner of the computer know that...

    A: This version of flash will be uninstalled because yadda yadda yadda.

    and

    B: Accept or Decline, BTW here's a link to obtain the latest version after this Apple update has been completed.

    It disables Flash. It doesn't uninstall or delete it.

  4. Re:Imagine by Yaztromo · · Score: 5, Informative

    I think a notification/warning would be nice prior to purging it from the system. Maybe it does, I don't know.

    On both of the systems I applied it to yesterday, it popped up a dialog warning me that it was going to disable the out-of-date flash player, and inviting me to visit Adobe's website to download the latest copy. The two buttons on the dialog were along the lines of one to go to the download page, and one to simply continue disabling the out-of-date plug-in.

    And now you know.

    Yaz