I have been writing about the security flaws in Adobe Flash for years and finally in July of 2015 I advised everyone to disable Adobe Flash and use other video software.   Unfortunately, some popular websites including HBO and Spotify still require the use of Adobe Flash.  In 2015, Mozilla, the maker of the popular Firefox browser  blocked Adobe Flash from use on Firefox as a security protection to Firefox users.  That came just a day after Facebook’s head of security went on record saying that Adobe should stop making Flash because it is too flawed.  Flaws in Adobe Flash have been exploited by hackers and identity thieves against individuals, companies and government agencies including the U.S. State Department and the White House.  Problems with Adobe Flash are nothing new.  In 2010 Steve Jobs vociferously complained about its security and it has routinely been cited as being extremely vulnerable.  Despite security patch after security patch, new problems keep coming up.  It appears that just as companies retire certain programs when it is just too difficult to patch them, this may well be the time for Adobe to retire Flash and if it doesn’t, you should consider retiring it yourself and replacing it with another plugin that performs the same function, but is safer.

TIPS

Some alternative plugins you may wish to consider include  GNU Gnash, and Silverlight.  Silverlight can be downloaded free directly from the Microsoft at this link: https://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/ while GNU Gnash can be downloaded free at this link: http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash/

Meanwhile, for those of you who still wish to use Adobe Flash, you should make sure that you update your Adobe Flash software whenever new security patches are issued, which Adobe has just done.  Here is a link to the new security update as indicated by the Department of Homeland Security: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2016/03/10/Adobe-Releases-Security-Updates-Flash-Player