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Apple Auto-Disables Old Flash Players In Mac OS X 10.7.4
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."
The Adobe Flash installer deletes itself, too, after installation. They really don't want the old, buggy stuff laying around.
Kriston
I personally wouldn't have bitched one bit if MS took a stand against Flash. In fact, I would applaud them.
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
New user, first comment, excessively praising one tech company.
Jesus H Christ, do I have to come downstairs and TEACH you guys how to do your jobs properly???
The preceding comment is my own, and in no way construes an opinon of the Emperor of Mankind.
Apple Software Update reports 729.6 MB for me (MacBook Pro). (Not combo update, either — updating from 10.7.3.)
Maybe finish reading the whole summary where even Adobe welcomes this? Oh and you've made sure to bitch about Mozilla doing the same thing to older versions of the Java plugin, right?
That Adobe makes such software that it welcomes other people disabling it.
I never install the Acrobat Reader on OS X, because the Preview application bundled with the OS does everything I need with PDFs.
Sure, there are some who will need esoteric features of the full Reader client but it cuts out the vector for a huge majority of users.
For the last time, Apple is not microsoft and is not a convicted monopolist. Your comparison is retarded. When Apple holds ~85% share of all computers EVERYWHERE, then you can start making valid comparisons between the two.
Good-bye
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
I personally wouldn't have bitched one bit if MS took a stand against Flash. In fact, I would applaud them.
Apple releases an update that disables third party software, less than a month after their inability to put a dent into bd.Flashback.
And yet you still shovel on the praise and manage to spin it in your own mind, that rather than it being the heavy-handed tactics of a company that has no idea how to play well with others, they are simply taking a brave stand against flash!
Man, Kudos to Apple, and kudos to yourself for being so brave too!
The reality distortion field is strong with this one.
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.
I like how you say that Macs can't do 'real work,' like the work you're doing is somehow better than someone who has picked up a Mac.
The task(s) should always define the tool needed. If it's a Mac that's needed to run the software to do the task so be it.
A perfect candidate for Microsoft's "malicious software removal tool" program.
It is disappointing that none of the updates to this tool have even tried to stop such a widespread infection. If anything, the enormous flash install base demonstrates that Microsoft's tool is completely ineffective against serious a malware infection.
Fear is the mind killer.
Why *should* they leave your computer alone? If you are either too stupid or unwilling to take proper care of it, and the repercussions of that fact affect everyone around you, then don't start complaining when others take the job out of your hands.
There are all sorts of regulations regarding cars. You need licenses, tests to prove you can drive safely, legally mandated regular checkups, etc. If you don't follow through, then the gov't will decide you can't drive it anymore.
It's inevitable that the same will happen to computers, for pretty much the exact same reasons.
TL;DR version: If you want people to treat you like an adult, then ACT like one.
This is probably good as Adobe seems to "patch" or provide "updates" to their product every 2hours or so.
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.
A mere 20 hours over dialup. :-o
My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
This is an issue that all non-OS applications have: how to get and install updates in a timely manner? Firefox checks for updates upon launch; drawback: annoyance for user as this results in an apparent slow launch. Google installs an update service; drawback: many users will disable this service due to the perception that it could slow down the entire system. Adobe Flash Player is a "system plugin" with its own update tool that runs at boot time; drawback: it requires user interaction, thus it is annoying. RealPlayer creates update tasks in the TaskManager; drawback: some users will disable them as they could increase boot/login time and/or are perceived as intrusive/spyware. The only acceptable solution is a system-wide update system, the way it works on Linux but without any user interaction; or updates delivered for all installed applications via Windows Update on Windows (which Microsoft is unlikely to accept).
I've had a Macbook Pro for almost two years now, and I've yet to run into a problem with lacking software variety or developer-friendliness. Most Windows software has either a straight Mac port or comparable Mac software. And under the bells and whistles and shiny paint, OS X is a Unix-based OS just like Linux is. Dig down deep enough, and you'll find that their innards are remarkably similar.
And the only big difference involving software variety is the fact that there's a whole lot less shovelware for OS X than there is for Linux or Windows.
I even do coding on my Mac, which is the one thing that is always brought up when bashing Macs.
I would have exactly zero problems with Microsoft doing something like this (their biggest problem: getting people to actually install the update).
When I read the headline and started the summary my reaction was along the lines of "whaaaaaat!". Then I saw that they were only disabling "older" versions of Flash, not Flash entirely, and thought about what it would be like for the end user. They visit a website that uses Flash, they see a message that Flash is not enabled or installed with a link to install it, they go through the process, et voila, you've gotten your users to update to the latest Flash player.
I have zero issues with an OS update automatically disabling old vulnerable software versions (especially Java and Acrobat reader), provided there is a way for the user to re-enable them if there's some reason that they require a specific old version.
I also generally hate every stance that Apple takes regarding control over their products, but this decision does make sense if they're trying to protect their users who wouldn't otherwise protect themselves. Microsoft should do the same.
"Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
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
I've always viewed Apple hardware as the toaster oven of computers. In that, I don't *care* what's going on under the hood, I just want the bloody thing to work - which it does, barring spouses leaving it switched on and resting on a feather pillow (ouch time!). When I want something to tinker with, I crank up my Linux box and if I really have a few hours to kill, on goes the Wintendo.
Operation Guillotine is in effect.
Apple releases an update that disables outdated and vulnerable third party software...
FTFY.
The reality distortion field is strong with this one.
Yep, you're standing on the wrong side of it.
"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
I go through a reasonable amount of effort to ensure my software was up to date. I've gotten so used to Flash updating automatically on Windows that it didn't even occur to me it wasn't doing that on my Mac. After I updated to 10.7.4, it told me Flash was out of date. So I'm going to have to say this is a good move. I'd imagine most Mac users have outdated Flash versions.
If you can't convince them, convict them.
That's pretty much exactly what it says. ;)
You can put Videos inside a PDF document now?!?! Please tell me your kidding.
That's like when I get those annoying "joke" emails that are in Powerpoint with loud music and walls of text. Or an Inventory system that uses a workbook in Excel.
If I was the Hulk, this is the kind of stuff that would turn me green.
Glad to see that Apple is taking all the necessary steps to return to "no viruses on Apple".
FTFY
and when you go to adobe's site, you're sure it really is the site of adobe? Maybe some malware changed your dns ... make sure to use https for downloads!
Mac OS X point upgrades are like Windows Service Packs.
Are you SURE that certificate presented by Adobe is legit, and their CA hasn't been hacked? Be sure to write your security updates yourself.
I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
If you frequent macrumors or other mac sites, you will realise that mac owners are some of the most bitchy/picky people on the planet. Apple does NOT get a free pass with their users. Their gear generally works better BECAUSE of this intolerance of existing apple users, not the other way around. Just google some of the complaints about Lion.
I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.