Please disable Flash on your system

[rocker59]

sounds like the sky is falling

I have never run any anti-virus on any desktop or laptop I've ever owned...  including Apples, PC's, and now a chromebook

I think I've had 3 desktops and now on my 3rd laptop total since 1998 and if I ever had a virus I never knew it.  Seems like a lot of work and hysteria to prevent what??  Stolen data? Slow machine? Rabies? Honestly, please someone tell me... what is the worst that can happen if I just ignore this like every other super-virus worm malware trojan wormhole thing that has been reported on in the last 15 years??

If you do much web surfing, you can pick up all kinds of malware and spyware (and occasionally viruses)  that can slow down your computer.

I run free versions of several programs for spyware, viruses, and malware.

They rarely find much, but it only takes one good attack to put your computer down.

It's been a long time since I've had it happen, but it has happened.   

[canuguzzi]

I thought NP's point was that there is no free lunch and thus that we Macsters paid for that in the "HOW MUCH!?!" sticker price for initial outlay, which I think is way more than what the "equivalent" PC, laptop, etc. costs.

I don't know enough to debate with the IT folks here over the merits of eating apples v. other types, but I do know I'll never leave the orchard.  Zero problems in 4+ years with our MacBook Pro 13's.  Worth the entry fee to us.

Bill

Yes, that was the point, nothing is free, including the warranty and that Apple Genius sitting in the store.

But really, live and let live, some people like MACs and others PCs. PCs offer a lot of individuality, the capability to tinker with them, upgrade them and make them unique to each person's tastes,

just like owning a Moto Guzzi.

We don't blame all motorcycling's risks and what problems there are on Moto Guzzi do we? We accept and applaud all those who ride motorcycles, regardless of brand or model. Blaming PCs and Microsoft for all the problems encountered via the Internet is just plain silly. You buy the computer of your choice and deal with what comes with it, just like your choice of motorcycle.

[rocker59]

To disable Flash using Chrome, type 'chrome:plugins' into the address bar.
You'll get a list of plugs ins, scroll down to Flashplayer and tick the 'disable' box.

Thanks!   

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

To disable Flash using Chrome, type 'chrome:plugins' into the address bar.
You'll get a list of plugs ins, scroll down to Flashplayer and tick the 'disable' box.

That's it? any further steps needed? I'm 'safe' now?

[screamday]

I've been using Flash Block on FireFox for almost a year and I'm pretty happy with they way it blocks flash but lets you decide if you want to view the content or not. Really great for keeping videos from running automatically on websites that want to inundate you with commercials as soon as you open their site.

http://flashblock.mozdev.org/

[canuguzzi]

That's it? any further steps needed? I'm 'safe' now?

Yes.

Most people will never have a problem as those being talked about. In today's world, someone gets sick from eating a hotdog and everyone rushes home to throw them out.

[rodekyll]

sounds like the sky is falling

I have never run any anti-virus on any desktop or laptop I've ever owned...  including Apples, PC's, and now a chromebook

I think I've had 3 desktops and now on my 3rd laptop total since 1998 and if I ever had a virus I never knew it.  Seems like a lot of work and hysteria to prevent what??  Stolen data? Slow machine? Rabies? Honestly, please someone tell me... what is the worst that can happen if I just ignore this like every other super-virus worm malware trojan wormhole thing that has been reported on in the last 15 years??

Flash is a multimedia program.  It can control your webcam, speakers, mic, etc.  It tracks where you go and what you do on the internet.  It records your viewing habits including lists of sites you visit and what you looked at there.  It's the carrier for payloads like ransomware, keystroke loggers, etc.  The list goes on.

Theoretically the bad guys could be using flash to watch and listen to you right now.  They could be following you to your favorite porn site and logging your sexual preferences.  Or they could be virtually in the bedroom with you and your wife.  Or your daughter's.  They could be building hidden caches of kiddie porn on your hard drive.  And the really fun part is that if they do it right your computer isn't going to slow down or misbehave in any way.

But you are their target prey -- willing to listen to jackasses and fruit flies, but deaf to common sense.  Refusing to do anything proactive in your defense, and proud to not know if you've got the bug or not.  And you get a special place in their hearts I'm sure, for encouraging others to follow you.

[Kentktk]

Let's see . . . So far this year you've blamed Microsoft for the quality of Chinese manufacturing, made them responsible for urban planning, and made Bill Gates personally responsible for not building you a freeway bridge.  Now you're saying MS is responsible for an Adobe Flash hack.  This is beyond irrational.

Microsoft is not Adobe.  Flash is not a Microsoft product.  Flash works across all platforms, not just Microsoft.  The vulnerability is an attack on the internet, not Microsoft.  It is equal opportunity.  Those are the facts.  It's time to pull your head out of your ass.

Microsoft products are abysmally bad considering how much money they rip-off from the public. Ask anyone who has changed to Apple if they would go back to Microsh-t and the answer is no. I can`t help it if you`re a grumpy bitter OLD man and can`t learn new tricks.

[screamday]

Microsoft products are abysmally bad considering how much money they rip-off from the public. Ask anyone who has changed to Apple if they would go back to Microsh-t and the answer is no. I can`t help it if you`re a grumpy OLD man and can`t learn new tricks.

Dude.....get over it already.   

[bedevil]

I do most of my work on a four year old Acer laptop and have noticed it get slower over the years as more and more stuff has been loaded.  Lately I have been contemplating a Windows reinstall to get rid of the accumulated junk. Then I happened on this thread and disabled flash a few days ago. I was pleasantly surprised how much quicker pages are to load and only on a few occasions have I not been able to view something I wanted. Has anybody else noticed better system response times when surfing the web after disabling flash?

[oldbike54]

Dude.....get over it already.   

 Aw , he just hates Bill and Melissa . Maybe Bill should just build him that bridge so they can kiss and makeup 

  Dusty

[Kentktk]

Aw , he just hates Bill and Melissa . Maybe Bill should just build him that bridge so they can kiss and makeup 

  Dusty

If you lived 3 miles away from them and Microsh-t headquarters you would hate too.

[canuguzzi]

If you lived 3 miles away from them and Microsh-t headquarters you would hate too.

Really? Do they come over and do things to you?

How can people hate software or a computer? If you don't like the stuff, don't buy it.

 :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

[Stevex]

Quote from: Kentktk on Today at 08:17:47 PM
Microsoft products are abysmally bad considering how much money they rip-off from the public. Ask anyone who has changed to Apple if they would go back to Microsh-t and the answer is no. I can`t help it if you`re a grumpy OLD man and can`t learn new tricks.

Dude.....get over it already.   

Exactly ffs! Give it a rest.
I've only ever used Windows on towers and laptops, and never had a problem.
I've been using Vista since I bought my last laptop in 2008 and it's still going strong; I've never had a virus attack.
It's all about being security conscious, using a decent AV prog etc.
I'm sure Apple laugh all the way to the bank every time another drone buys a mac at their over inflated prices.

If you lived 3 miles away from them and Microsh-t headquarters you would hate too.

Have you tried a tin foil hat?

[rodekyll]

Microsoft products are abysmally bad considering how much money they rip-off from the public. Ask anyone who has changed to Apple if they would go back to Microsh-t and the answer is no. I can`t help it if you`re a grumpy bitter OLD man and can`t learn new tricks.

I see you made letters with your keyboard again today.  In my advanced age I'm missing the connection between them and what you quoted -- or to anything rational.  The part that disturbs me is that somehow you keep forgetting that I'm writing this on my mac.

Also, it's probably my age, but my memory is slipping.  Remind me who you are.  IIRC, you're the guy who had 48 ignores before the crash.  As I remember it, you earned them in discussions like this one where your unvarnished bullshit has pissed people off to the point of leaving the forum.  Your very first accomplishment on this site -- the one that established you as the feckless troll you are, was to run off Roper and make his vent fix unavailable with your personal attacks and abuse.  You're the guy who goes on ad nauseum about how wonderfully bulletproof the mac platform is and how superior you are for drinking the apple juice, yet has never offered up a single keystroke of help or advice when a WG member reports the fails of your perfect platforms.  As far as that goes, you've never offered anything to the guzzi discussions either.  And you're the guy who hijacks every computer-based topic with your anti-Microsoft vendetta, regardless of the nature of the discussion.

Is that who you are, sonny?

[Bill Hagan]

****

I'm sure Apple laugh all the way to the bank every time another drone buys a mac at their over inflated prices.

Have you tried a tin foil hat?

Whoa!  Whoa!

Drones?

I am virtually certain that all US UAV's use PC-based software.   

Aw , he just hates Bill and Melissa . Maybe Bill should just build him that bridge so they can kiss and makeup 

  Dusty

Uhm, Dusty, that would be Melinda.   

Bill
Drone

[oldbike54]

Whoa!  Whoa!

Drones?

I am virtually certain that all US UAV's use PC-based software.   

Uhm, Dusty, that would be Melinda.   

Bill
Drone

 Dang , was sure there was a Melissa involved somehow  Shows how much I know about pooters . Carry on , everything is peachy here 

  Dusty

[Stormtruck2]

Bought my bride an Airbook.  Will never buy another fruit based computer. Nothing but trouble from day one. Lasted less than two years and puked. The GUI sucked.  While I now use only PC machines, my preferred model is the latest version of the abacus..

[Kentktk]

I see you made letters with your keyboard again today.  In my advanced age I'm missing the connection between them and what you quoted -- or to anything rational.  The part that disturbs me is that somehow you keep forgetting that I'm writing this on my mac.

Also, it's probably my age, but my memory is slipping.  Remind me who you are.  IIRC, you're the guy who had 48 ignores before the crash.  As I remember it, you earned them in discussions like this one where your unvarnished bullshit has pissed people off to the point of leaving the forum.  Your very first accomplishment on this site -- the one that established you as the feckless troll you are, was to run off Roper and make his vent fix unavailable with your personal attacks and abuse.  You're the guy who goes on ad nauseum about how wonderfully bulletproof the mac platform is and how superior you are for drinking the apple juice, yet has never offered up a single keystroke of help or advice when a WG member reports the fails of your perfect platforms.  As far as that goes, you've never offered anything to the guzzi discussions either.  And you're the guy who hijacks every computer-based topic with your anti-Microsoft vendetta, regardless of the nature of the discussion.

Is that who you are, sonny?

I have given advice Grandpa, you just choose to remember what bitter OLD guys choose to remember and that`s not much. If I were you ( and I thank God everyday that I am not) I would just use the handy ignore button.

[MotoGoosy]

Yes, went to YouTube a week ago and kept getting "FlashPlayer has crashed".  Disabled it and everything's fine.

[rodekyll]

I have given advice Grandpa, you just choose to remember what bitter OLD guys choose to remember and that`s not much. If I were you ( and I thank God everyday that I am not) I would just use the handy ignore button.

Given your general level of cognizance it doesn't surprise me that you're unaware of the demise of the iggy button.  Yes, there's a lot I didn't include, but it's not that I don't remember.  I was just hitting some of the highlights to be sure you are what you are.  I'll take your recent replies to mean you agree with the words of mine you quoted, since you respond with no disagreement.

Yes, you've given the same 'advice' since you arrived here (except for the area in which you claim proficiency -- apple computers -- in which cases you remain completely silent) -- Microsoft sucks.  Doesn't matter what the topic is, in your opinion the solution to all problems is 'Microsoft sucks'.  Very middle-school.  -Not very helpful.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have given advice Grandpa, you just choose to remember what bitter OLD guys choose to remember and that`s not much. If I were you ( and I thank God everyday that I am not) I would just use the handy ignore button.

Maybe you should scroll to the Guzzidiag thread and help the Mac guys out.. 

[Kentktk]

Given your general level of cognizance it doesn't surprise me that you're unaware of the demise of the iggy button.  Yes, there's a lot I didn't include, but it's not that I don't remember.  I was just hitting some of the highlights to be sure you are what you are.  I'll take your recent replies to mean you agree with the words of mine you quoted, since you respond with no disagreement.

Yes, you've given the same 'advice' since you arrived here (except for the area in which you claim proficiency -- apple computers -- in which cases you remain completely silent) -- Microsoft sucks.  Doesn't matter what the topic is, in your opinion the solution to all problems is 'Microsoft sucks'.  Very middle-school.  -Not very helpful.

Your feeble old man memory seems to be selective only towards my hatred of Microsoft. Don`t get excited and pee your Depends over me agreeing with you on anything. In my opinion Microsoft sucks. Now go eat some prunes you`ll be less bitter with regularity.

[rodekyll]

Your feeble old man memory seems to be selective only towards my hatred of Microsoft. Don`t get excited and pee your Depends over me agreeing with you on anything. In my opinion Microsoft sucks. Now go eat some prunes you`ll be less bitter with regularity.

I know you worked really hard on that and I'm sure those were the most grown up words you made all week, but it still must be very embarrassing for you.

[John A]

Kentktk it's time for your nap

[Moto]

I hesitate to add to this charming discussion, but I'm unclear on something.

I understand that Flash runs on all systems, and that the same Flash code is executing in each. Are we most worried that:

1. Flash will execute Flash code that does nasty things directly, like spying via the camera, or

2. Flash will modify other programs on the system to get them to do nasty things. Perhaps the operating system files or browsers.

If the greater danger is in #2, then I would expect the efforts of criminals (call them what they are!) would, as usual, focus on the vastly larger PC population, in the interest of profit.

Though Macs have always been vulnerable in theory, in practice little seems to have happened. If #1 above is the big worry, both Macs and PCs are equally vulnerable in the present case.

Making any sense here? Which is the big worry?

Thanks.

Moto

P.S. Love them Macs, but love them PC users too. The Mac premium is hardly double, for equal-spec hardware!

[slowmover]

Round up all the old people and put them in camps!!

[kirby1923]

I see you made letters with your keyboard again today.  In my advanced age I'm missing the connection between them and what you quoted -- or to anything rational.  The part that disturbs me is that somehow you keep forgetting that I'm writing this on my mac.

Also, it's probably my age, but my memory is slipping.  Remind me who you are.  IIRC, you're the guy who had 48 ignores before the crash.  As I remember it, you earned them in discussions like this one where your unvarnished bullshit has pissed people off to the point of leaving the forum.  Your very first accomplishment on this site -- the one that established you as the feckless troll you are, was to run off Roper and make his vent fix unavailable with your personal attacks and abuse.  You're the guy who goes on ad nauseum about how wonderfully bulletproof the mac platform is and how superior you are for drinking the apple juice, yet has never offered up a single keystroke of help or advice when a WG member reports the fails of your perfect platforms.  As far as that goes, you've never offered anything to the guzzi discussions either.  And you're the guy who hijacks every computer-based topic with your anti-Microsoft vendetta, regardless of the nature of the discussion.

Is that who you are, sonny?

Vent fix???huh??? sounds interesting.

[fotoguzzi]

I see you made letters with your keyboard again today.  In my advanced age I'm missing the connection between them and what you quoted -- or to anything rational.  The part that disturbs me is that somehow you keep forgetting that I'm writing this on my mac.

Also, it's probably my age, but my memory is slipping.  Remind me who you are.  IIRC, you're the guy who had 48 ignores before the crash.  As I remember it, you earned them in discussions like this one where your unvarnished bullshit has pissed people off to the point of leaving the forum. Your very first accomplishment on this site -- the one that established you as the feckless troll you are, was to run off Roper and make his vent fix unavailable with your personal attacks and abuse.  You're the guy who goes on ad nauseum about how wonderfully bulletproof the mac platform is and how superior you are for drinking the apple juice, yet has never offered up a single keystroke of help or advice when a WG member reports the fails of your perfect platforms.  As far as that goes, you've never offered anything to the guzzi discussions either.  And you're the guy who hijacks every computer-based topic with your anti-Microsoft vendetta, regardless of the nature of the discussion.

Is that who you are, sonny?

for an old man RK, you have a pretty good memory.

Kentktk it's time for your nap

[Lannis]

Vent fix???huh??? sounds interesting.

MAYBE interesting, depending on what "vent" you think it is ... !!

Pete Roper offered up his CARC vent to replace the ineffective and leak-prone stock little "top hat" vent on the CARC.   It's a nicely designed bit of kit that fits the bike well, looks factory, and puts the vent opening up under the seat, away from splashes of any kind, where it belongs.   I bought and installed one, as did some others on the list, and it works like it says on the tin - very happy with it.

Then a sort of permanent troll that no one has ever seen, never shows up anywhere, and claims to be in the same business you're in (which I've never believed for a second) came on with a snarky post about Pete overcharging his buddies and making a fortune on a bit of tat and using the list for a shill, which Pete has actually never done outside of warped little minds who have never contributed anything themselves.

So that's sort of the back story.   Note I haven't named any names, so we'll see what flushes out of the bushes now ....

Lannis