Sunday, April 11, 2010

Adobe Security Problems - What To Do?

If you use any Adobe products, like Flash Player, Adobe Reader, or Acrobat, it would be a good idea to run your updates. Several patches in the last 6 months have clearly indicated that Adobe is having trouble keeping their products safe.

Adobe Reader users could fall prey to PDFs loaded with malware warns Adobe

Adobe is working on a permanent security fix for its Adobe Reader software after a security researcher demonstrated how users could be attacked with PDF documents loaded with malware.


The attacks use the "launch" functionality of the Adobe Reader/PDF technology, with the attacker able to bypass the security warnings given to users when they choose to open PDF documents from unknown sources.

"This is a good example of powerful functionality relied upon by some users that also carries potential risks when used incorrectly by others," said Adobe in a blog on the threat.

"The warning message provided in Adobe Reader and Acrobat includes strong wording advising users to only open and execute the file if it comes from a trusted source. The default option within the dialog box is to not execute," it said.

Adobe has offered workarounds to mitigate the risk of attacks while it works on a full fix.