Adobe Flash Player Questions

[NewbMacGuy]

Hello,

I've looked around here and other sites like this one and have done as much research as I possible could but I'm still confused. I just purchased a new MacBook Pro and I had to install Adobe flash player to watch YouTube and Vimeo videos?

After much research I found out this could or could not be a good thing? Some say it make your computer vunerable?? What exactly would you use if Adobe is not safe? Why does Apple not install some software that would automatically let you watch YouTube and Vimeo videos, seems kinda silly to me.

I appreciate any and all comments, thoughts, and help I can get.

NewbmacGuy, dazed and confused with this new mac.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

Apple dislikes Flash, so they don't include it. However, this is really a good thing since it means you will always have downloaded the latest version, which is probably another reason why they didn't include it.

Don't worry about any vulnerabilities, they're negligible if you have good browsing habits.

 

[GGJstudios]

Apple doesn't include 3rd party apps like Adobe Flash Player, letting the user choose which apps they need or want. Flash is a resource hog, but isn't inherently dangerous, as long as you get it directly from Adobe, and not some popup that shows on some websites with trojan-infected Flash. To control which Flash content plays, use ClickToPlugin & ClickToFlash Safari extensions.

 

[benhollberg]

You can view some YouTube videos without Flash, you just have to join the HTML5 beta. Not all videos are available without Flash.

 

[aCondor]

My (basic) understanding is the Adobe Flash contains coding that allows malware to be loaded to user's computers from simply viewing Flash files. I believe this is mainly a problem with Windows, and a rare one at that.

Nevertheless, Adobe Flash is not the most efficient program and could cause noticeable delays in media.

I have installed Click to Flash on my MBP. It automatically loads HTML5, and allows the user to "click" on Flash media to stream or download. Its worked great and I have no complaints so far.

 

[Ansah]

I have installed Click to Flash on my MBP. It automatically loads HTML5, and allows the user to "click" on Flash media to stream or download. Its worked great and I have no complaints so far.

I 2nd (or 3rd) Click to Flash. Awesome extension which has enabled me to stay with Safari as my default browser. And I think we're seeing more and more video content available as HTML5.

 

[thundersteele]

Anything that connects your laptop to the internet is a potential point of attack. In particular these are internet browsers and anything that connects with them, e.g. add ons like the flash player.

My workplace sends my regular information about security leaks and vulnerabilities in a number of programs. Just from the last two weeks, I got:
two alerts for google chrome
one alert for iTunes
one alert for adobe shockwave
one alert for adobe flash (multiple issues)
one alert for iPhone, iPod and iPad users
one for windows
one for flash, vlc and winamp

Keeping your software up to date is the best protection usually.

Apple equips it's laptops with an operating system and some basic software like a web browser and a text editor. All included software is developed by apple, they do not include third party software.

Neither apple nor any other computer manufacturer can provide software for every data format. I understand that youtube is very popular, but it is them who chose the video format that requires this particular plugin. Fortunately they are working on implementing alternatives, like the html5 standard.


edit: I actually decided not to install adobe flash on my new MBP. I use safari as main browser, and chrome, which comes with it's own flash implementation, for the rare occasions when I want to see a flash website. Saves me some battery life

 

[bladerunner88]

Google Flash Cookies or SharedObjects as it relates to Flash Player. Then take a little stroll into your Home Folder/Library/Preferences/Macromedia/Flash Player/#SharedObjects and behold all the information Flash Player is collecting without your knowledge. Some of which is known to phone home......

 

[GGJstudios]

Google Flash Cookies or SharedObjects as it relates to Flash Player. Then take a little stroll into your Home Folder/Library/Preferences/Macromedia/Flash Player/#SharedObjects and behold all the information Flash Player is collecting without your knowledge.

Which is absolutely nothing:

​

 

[bladerunner88]

Nothing? interestin have you looked in your 3T2D3YFH Folder? And checked the permissions for that folder? And why is Adobe storing Flash Cookies in a place most people would never think to look or find?

 

[GGJstudios]

Nothing? interestin have you looked in your 3T2D3YFH Folder? And checked the permissions for that folder?

Yes, it doesn't store anything there because I have those folders intentionally locked, to prevent Adobe from writing to them.

 

[bladerunner88]

Well Then! Yeah me too I changed the permissions from read write to read only.

 

[aCondor]

Yes, it doesn't store anything there because I have those folders intentionally locked, to prevent Adobe from writing to them.

But everyone else, the vast majority of users who do not edit this folder manually, have their information sent to Adobe?

 

[GGJstudios]

But everyone else, the vast majority of users who do not edit this folder manually, have their information sent to Adobe?

No, it's not sent to Adobe. It stays on your computer, just like cookies.