Apple forces users to upgrade Adobe Flash plugins

Apple is giving users of its Mac desktop and laptop computers some tough love by forcing them to upgrade to the latest version of Adobe's Flash plugin software.

 

This was after Adobe rolled out a critical update to address a flaw that could potentially let attackers hijack computers after visitors go to even some reputable sites.

 

In a post on its support page, Apple informed users that if the Adobe Flash plug-in they are using is out of date, they may see the message, "Blocked plug-in", "Flash Security Alert” or "Flash out-of-date" when trying to view Flash content in Safari.

 

They will then be prompted to download and install the update.

 

Enthusiast site MacRumors said Apple wants users to upgrade to the latest 14.0.0.145 version of Flash Player if possible.

 

"For those users running systems incompatible with Flash Player 14, Adobe has made available a 13.0.0.231 update that addresses the security issues," it said.

 

Also, Apple has updated the web plug-in blocking mechanism to disable all versions before Flash Player 14.0.0.145 and 13.0.0.231.

 

Earlier, Adobe released Flash 14.0.0.145 to address a bug that security blogger Michele Spagnuolo said could let attackers steal cookies that authenticate users websites, tech site CNET reported.

 

It said Adobe had assigned the highest threat level rating to the bug.

 

On the other hand, the CNET report noted many of the potentially vulnerable sites including Twitter have addressed the error.

 

Meanwhile, users of Google Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer on Windows 8 will automatically receive updates for Flash Player. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News