Security Expert: Computer not safe with Flash

scottjl · 03-01-2010, 04:47 PM

http://gizmodo.com/5483024/security-...f-it-has-flash

Pretty interesting reading..

Quote:

[The safest browser is] Chrome or IE8 on Windows 7 with no Flash installed. There probably isn't enough difference between the browsers to get worked up about. The main thing is not to install Flash!

The source article for further reading...

Teddman · 03-01-2010, 04:51 PM

Why not just say "Computer Not Safe with Internet" and call it a day?

This is just another hacker/security pundit trying to make headlines with outrageous claims.

He goes on to say that Linux based systems are no safer than Windows, which is just ridiculous.

DawnFalcon · 03-01-2010, 06:11 PM

There's a big difference between automated exploits and what happens when a hacker focuses his sole attention onto you.

K-Thom · 03-01-2010, 07:19 PM

Oh my... as soon as you switch on the computer, it isn't safe anymore. Just another Flashbash.

fugazied · 03-01-2010, 07:39 PM

I have flashblocked installed, but I'm not sure if that protects me from anything!

Flash also allows websites to track you more easily through LSO flash cookies, which are kept separately to normal text cookies in an Adobe folder somewhere on your machine. So even after you clear your cookies they can be tracking where you go and what you do. To remove these you can either install an app like Flush for OS X or you can get a browser specific solution like Privacy Plus or Better Privacy for Firefox.

That's one thing that annoys me about Chrome, it doesn't have any way to remove LSO cookies yet, but claims to be great on privacy (while also reporting what you do to Google).

Sonist · 03-01-2010, 08:20 PM

This is basically FUD. Such contests are common enough, and invariably end up with a headline. Before it was about Java and Apple, or Java and mobile phones, or Java and GIF. Java and EVERYTHING.

BTW, Java servlets can set tracking cookies just as easily.

SCION · 03-01-2010, 08:37 PM

Yawn

Dylrob · 03-01-2010, 10:23 PM

Oh believe me, I would love to be able to run without flash. Every crash or stall I've experienced recently seems to be related to that stupid plug-in. Viva la HTML5!

03-01-2010, 10:23 PM	#8
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,141 Karma: 47366760 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	Oh believe me, I would love to be able to run without flash. Every crash or stall I've experienced recently seems to be related to that stupid plug-in. Viva la HTML5! Last edited by Dylrob; 03-01-2010 at 10:26 PM.

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03-01-2010, 04:51 PM	#2
Teddman Addict Posts: 242 Karma: 695 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	Why not just say "Computer Not Safe with Internet" and call it a day? This is just another hacker/security pundit trying to make headlines with outrageous claims. He goes on to say that Linux based systems are no safer than Windows, which is just ridiculous.

03-01-2010, 06:11 PM	#3
DawnFalcon Banned Posts: 2,094 Karma: 2682 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: N/A	There's a big difference between automated exploits and what happens when a hacker focuses his sole attention onto you.

03-01-2010, 07:19 PM	#4
K-Thom The one and only Posts: 3,302 Karma: 535819 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Device: yup!	Oh my... as soon as you switch on the computer, it isn't safe anymore. Just another Flashbash.

03-01-2010, 07:39 PM	#5
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	I have flashblocked installed, but I'm not sure if that protects me from anything! Flash also allows websites to track you more easily through LSO flash cookies, which are kept separately to normal text cookies in an Adobe folder somewhere on your machine. So even after you clear your cookies they can be tracking where you go and what you do. To remove these you can either install an app like Flush for OS X or you can get a browser specific solution like Privacy Plus or Better Privacy for Firefox. That's one thing that annoys me about Chrome, it doesn't have any way to remove LSO cookies yet, but claims to be great on privacy (while also reporting what you do to Google).

03-01-2010, 08:20 PM	#6
Sonist Apeist Posts: 2,126 Karma: 381090 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The sunny part of California Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device	This is basically FUD. Such contests are common enough, and invariably end up with a headline. Before it was about Java and Apple, or Java and mobile phones, or Java and GIF. Java and EVERYTHING. BTW, Java servlets can set tracking cookies just as easily.

03-01-2010, 08:37 PM	#7
SCION Séduisant Posts: 4,706 Karma: 2107018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas, USA Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6	Yawn

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