What's with Adobe?

frybo30 · Dec 18, 2009

Way back before I knew better, I apparently downloaded and installed some apps without knowing exactly why. Case in point is Adobe--Reader, Acrobat, FlashPlayer. Lately, it seems I get a warning every other week about a security problem with one or another of them. So I'm wondering: Do I need these? Are there alternatives (for free)? Exactly what do they do? Thanks.

plodr · Dec 19, 2009

In place of Adobe Reader, try foxit or sumatra. (both free)
Unfortunately Adobe is flash. Much of the web depends on it so you are stuck with that.
Adobe also owns Shock (it was macromedia) and shockwave needs updating too. Again, some web content depends on it so you are stuck with it.

Adrynalyne · Dec 19, 2009

The sad thing is, much of the security risk comes from Flash.

Its not just Windows, but cross platform. OS X has a terrible time with it. Adobe really needs to step up their game, as this is ridiculous.

DavidGP · Dec 19, 2009

Adrynalyne said: ↑

The sad thing is, much of the security risk comes from Flash.

Its not just Windows, but cross platform. OS X has a terrible time with it. Adobe really needs to step up their game, as this is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I agree in that its not just a Windows thing but cross platform and Adobe are having a bad time of it lately as these applications are like Windows the predominently used apps,

Flash and Shockwave you are out of luck as no alternatives, while some websites etc use Microsofts Silverlight the majority use Flash, so best to just keep this upto date always. (These are what websites us to show you media rich content like animations and video content)

Acrobat Reader, is always a target for malicious writers, but yes you do have alternatives here is CoolPDF and Foxit , also if you wish to write to PDF format from any or most applications then DoPDF is the one I use and also use in work. (Acrobat and Reader are what many use to send documents around as its a portable format that virtually every PC and cross platform should be able to read)

frybo30 · Dec 19, 2009

Thanks for the knowledgeable replies. Despite my numerous posts, I'm still sadly uninformed about computerism. I'm like a hunt-and-peck typist who can do some things really fast but hasn't grasped the concept of touch-typing. I use my computer mainly for email, a calendar program, surfing the Net, seeking information, and checking out neat sites such as MajorGeeks. So, do I really need these Adobe applications? What couldn't I do without them?

DavidGP · Dec 19, 2009

Hi Frybo

Do you need them, well the answer is yes and no sadly, and I will explain, if you want the rich website experience that some sites offer and also watch the video streams that some sites also offer then Flash is needed, if you need to download or read documents in PDF format then yes Acrobat Reader is needed (but you can use one of the alternatives for this), many manuals come in PDF format only, so a PDF reader is needed I feel.

Keep them upto date and you will be fine, as I have never had an issue with Flash or Acrobat at all, as I keep them upto date always, its when you dont update that the security flaws tend to crop up, however in many cases they are only potential exploits and in the main are not exploited in the wild.

If you read http://secunia.com/advisories/ and the advisories then you'd never use a PC again, just from todays highlights page it highlights Firefox!! (and folk think its safe).

bettyswollocks · Dec 19, 2009

there is always PSI,to patch your adobe up.

http://majorgeeks.com/Secunia_Personal_Software_Inspector_PSI_d6030.html

rustyjack · Dec 19, 2009

Halo said: ↑

Hi Frybo

Do you need them, well the answer is yes and no sadly, and I will explain, if you want the rich website experience that some sites offer and also watch the video streams that some sites also offer then Flash is needed, if you need to download or read documents in PDF format then yes Acrobat Reader is needed (but you can use one of the alternatives for this), many manuals come in PDF format only, so a PDF reader is needed I feel.

Keep them upto date and you will be fine, as I have never had an issue with Flash or Acrobat at all, as I keep them upto date always, its when you dont update that the security flaws tend to crop up, however in many cases they are only potential exploits and in the main are not exploited in the wild.

If you read http://secunia.com/advisories/ and the advisories then you'd never use a PC again, just from todays highlights page it highlights Firefox!! (and folk think its safe).
Click to expand...

Good job we don't read that sort of stuff all the time Halo because we'd be like " The Internet :eek " !

Heyyou · Dec 19, 2009

frybo30 said: ↑

Thanks for the knowledgeable replies. Despite my numerous posts, I'm still sadly uninformed about computerism. I'm like a hunt-and-peck typist who can do some things really fast but hasn't grasped the concept of touch-typing. I use my computer mainly for email, a calendar program, surfing the Net, seeking information, and checking out neat sites such as MajorGeeks. So, do I really need these Adobe applications? What couldn't I do without them?
Click to expand...

Adobe Reader was 85 mb the last time I checked. This free pdf reader called PDF-Xchange was 15 mb the last time I checked. I dumped Adobe reader a few years ago and have been happily using the latter since. Check out their web site here: :cool
http://www.docu-track.com/

frybo30 · Dec 19, 2009

Lots to think about. I certainly appreciate all the replies and the helpful and informative information. Thanks to all.

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What's with Adobe?

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