Adobe ULTRA sneaky

[ceagle]

I don't know whether this started with Macromedia or Adobe, but...

Ya know how when things FORCE themselves into starting up and thrusting themselves upon you when you start your computer or a program, or even randomly or secretly scheduled...? ...and how USUALLY you can find a way to disable these advances and annoyances in the windows registry?

WELL. I just found out why I STILL get "update your flash player" when I start the computer, and I can't find it in the registry...

(this information provided for any others who need to stop it or even just for the curious/appalled reader)...

(referring to this http://www.technipages.com/disable-an-update-to-your-adobe-flash-player-is-available-message-forever.html )
(from SuperUser.com ... http://superuser.com/questions/143553/flash-player-automatic-updater-on-windows-startup )

"The updater deletes the reg key for running on startup once it loads. See http://www.adobe.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/8/releasenotes.html "

Egads ;/

Apparently as soon as it loads any browser support, it secretly loads a hidden XML page redirector.

It's somewhat disgusting when an otherwise positive app takes on the strategy of malware... trying so hard to avoid being detected by standard users. Google Chrome does a similar thing by hiding its update schedule in the old/rarely used task scheduler.

(location where it can be disabled http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager05.html )

Apparently it can be disabled within the player itself, but I hadn't had success with that in the past.

Comments

[orv.livejournal.com]

I suspect this is because Adobe's taken a lot of flak over security issues, lately, and they're trying to make sure everyone stays up to date with the latest security fixes. I don't approve of them doing it in such a sneaky way, but I can understand the mindset; most people never update plugins unless they're nagged about it ceaselessly.

I suspect that's also the thinking with Google Chrome...keep it up to date without having to pester the user about it constantly.

The alternative solutions aren't always that great. On MacOS X, Microsoft Office runs its update check only when the program is launched, instead of making it part of the system updates (mostly 'cause they can't do that on OS X the way they do on Windows.) The problem is this means I'm invariably being suddenly asked to update when I'm busy doing something else, 'cause I opened Office for a reason...so I ignore it a lot.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the detailed comment! :9

"most people never update plugins unless they're nagged about it ceaselessly" ...indeed, that is sad but probably true. I guess it's mainly deciding the weight on the balance between different annoyances...

"The problem is this means I'm invariably being suddenly asked to update when I'm busy doing something else"... heh... That's what I mean ;D ... Interruptions ANY time are essentially the same thing because we're busy!

Maybe a tiny lil' system tray note every 90 days would be fine, but THAT'S IT.

[furahi.livejournal.com]

You know? Flash is such a vulnerable format that you *are* better off getting an update as soon as it's available. I hate things that run automatically when you boot, but in this case it really is worth not being exposed to everything online (which in many cases having an antivirus won't help you prevent infections)

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

You make a good point, fuzzy!... I agree one need be careful with it.. but the way I do that is by running both NoScript and FlashBlocker simultaneously, and it's been a solid safety net for over 3 years.. :9 *waggle*
These block those elements in my main browser (FireFox) and if I dare to view something I can't in my normally heavily-guarded browser, I have the latest stuff setup to work in another browser (Chrome or IE or Opera).

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Yes, it started with adobe reader 5 I think, ever since then they always seem to be doing things automatically. Adobe has never been really "evil" when it comes to these things so I assume they actually want people to update for a reason. It's really only the download manager that gives me the irrits.