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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.
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?
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.
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.
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"
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
That's pretty much exactly what it says. ;)