Flash

Three amazing flash-drive deals

Asking me not to post a killer deal is like asking me not to draw breath -- even when it's a product I know most of you already have.

Yep, I'm talking flash drives. They've dipped to amazingly low prices of late, which is why I just can't pass them up. Therefore, without further ado:

1. Staples has the Kingston DataTraveler 101 G2 8GB flash drive for $4.99. Shipping adds a hilariously ridiculous $9.95, but you can avoid that charge by opting for in-store pickup. (You'll still have to pay sales tax, natch.)… Read more

New app plans to one-up Facebook on iPad using Flash

Facebook only recently updated its app to work on Apple's iPad, but it's still missing many of the features of its desktop counterpart. An upcoming app aims to change that.

iSwifter, the startup that currently offers a standalone browser app for the iPad that can stream Adobe Flash content, plans to launch a new app next month tailored specifically for Facebook users.

The app, called theWorx, gives users a way to view Facebook's news feed, photos, events, and notifications just like they would on the social networking giant's own app. However the real draw is that … Read more

Adobe will issue free security fixes for CS5 apps after all

Adobe has apparently changed its mind about requiring customers to pay to get recent security patches for its Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash Professional products.

The patches cover vulnerabilities that could let a remote user execute malicious code and take control of computers that are running the products.

A post to Adobe's security blog dated yesterday says the following:

We are in the process of resolving the vulnerabilities...in Adobe Illustrator CS5.x, Adobe Photoshop CS5.x (12.x) and Adobe Flash Professional CS5.x, and will update the respective Security Bulletins once the patches are available.

Users may monitor … Read more

How to re-enable older Flash in Safari 5.1.7

In the latest version of Safari, Apple enhanced the browser with a security measure that ensures users make use of the latest version of Flash player. The browser will check for the latest version of Flash, and if your installed version is out of date, then it will disable the plug-in and prompt you to download the latest version, but this might not always be desired.

This security feature has been applauded by Adobe's Brad Arkin, who in a blog posting stated:

"We welcome today's initiative by Apple to encourage Mac users to stay up-to-date: With the … Read more

Multi-deal Monday: A 10-inch tablet for $239 and more

Not sure what prompted this, but over the weekend I received a handful of really nice e-mails from readers. It's deeply gratifying to know that you like what I'm doing here, and I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who's written me to say so. You people are the best.

Now that the touchy-feely stuff's out of the way, on to today's deals! Yes, that's "deals" plural. Sometimes I can't pick just one!

1. While supplies last, Secondipity has the used Acer Iconia A500-10S08u 10.1-inch Android tablet for $239.99 shipped. (… Read more

System-seizing Flash attacks prompt security fix from Adobe

A Flash vulnerability that's being exploited by hackers to gain control of victims' machines is the target of a security update released yesterday by Adobe.

"There are reports that the vulnerability is being exploited in the wild in active targeted attacks designed to trick the user into clicking on a malicious file delivered in an e-mail message," Adobe said in a security bulletin.

"The exploit targets Flash Player on Internet Explorer for Windows only," Adobe said, but the company urged Mac, Linux, and Android users to update their versions of Flash as well. The company … Read more

Flash update squashes active exploit

Check the version of Adobe Flash you have installed on your system, and if it's less than version 11.2.202.235, be sure to download the latest update that Adobe has made available today (you can do this using Adobe's Flash version checker). This update addresses a vulnerability in the program that is currently being exploited by malware developers to compromise systems.

Described as an "object confusion vulnerability," Adobe claims that the exploit allows an attacker to crash the Flash application and execute code that could potentially allow the attacker to take control of the … Read more

How to determine if a Flash update notification is legitimate

Adobe Flash Player and Reader are some of the most popular Web plug-ins, and as a result malware developers commonly use them as a disguise for their programs. The recent Flashback malware is one example of this, where it originally was released as a fake update to Adobe Flash, and thereby confused a number of Mac users who installed it thinking it was a legitimate update they needed.

In order to notify Flash and Reader users of available updates, Adobe's software will display a notice regarding the availability of the new software; however, if you see such a notice … Read more

Apple's Flashback malware remover now live

Apple this afternoon released an integrated tool to remove Flashback, malware designed to steal user information that was estimated to be present in more than half a million machines just last week.

The tool, which was made available as part of a security update to Java today, comes two days after Apple said it was working on an automated way for users to remove the infection.

Flashback is a form of malware designed to grab passwords and other information from users through their Web browser and other applications. A user typically mistakes it for a legitimate browser plug-in while visiting … Read more