Invitation to a Virus?

[Zuko53]

Greetings. I did a wipe of my hard drive using DBAN and subsequently among others, I installed Adobe Flash Player, & Java, both within the last couple of days. Since then, I have been getting pop ups on both telling me that they need to be updated. There are other things happening that lead me to believe that if I click into either one of them that I will be inviting a shutdown.

 

[Ranger4]

If you downloaded & installed those programs from a legitimate site, then it would be advisable to install the updates. Often downloaded programs need updating as the download has had a lot of changes that are necessary.

If you really worried, you could run an image of your HDD to an another drive beforehand, so if everything goes ballistic you still have the original image to fall back on.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Hmm, I guess my thought would be: IFFF you downloaded these applications from the safe, legitimate download page at the publisher's own site, then you ought to have received the most current version.
Therefore, I would not expect you to be prompted to update either of them.

For what it's worth, the (standard), safe Adobe site to get flash player is here:
Adobe Flash Player Install for all versions
NOTE: You need separate, different versions for IE (ActiveX version) and for Firefox & similar browsers (NPAPI, "plug-in"). Chrome has its own, embedded version.

To test your current version:
Adobe - Flash Player
Flash Player help:
Flash Player Help
Flash Player uninstaller:
Uninstall Flash Player for Windows

And the only safe place to get JRE (aka "Java") is here:
https://www.java.com/en/download/
(Having said that, few sites and few applications require Java these days. It's a huge security hole, even if it is kept updated. My advice: unless you absolutely need it, fully uninstall it.)

Bottom line: I would not expect you to be prompted to update either Flash Player or "Java" if you got the most current version from the official download site.

If you got them somewhere else, then it's entirely possible you were tricked into installing a fake version.
In that case, you might want to get some help checking your system for malware.

JMHO,

MM

 

[Layback Bear]

Please note:

Their are websites that you might get a popup on the monitor to update Adobe. Don't do it. Leave that site.

Every now and then I get hit with that update Adobe Flash.
The fact that I know my Adobe Flash is updated and doesn't need updating is my clue.

Jack.

 

[jack3]

I always have a test / play PC well I have a couple and swap the HDDs for anything new and testing

Not so easy at home but save aload of grief, so my business machine is always perfect (well best i can keep it)

Once tested / scanned and checked - i will if i want that software install on my business machine

Its bit flaff but I never been caught out. I am no fan of uninstalling software once installed, never quite removes everything like state before install - i might be over careful but its proved me well

Worth thinking about - its only pc off, change Hdd on cables and big,, its a play test PC and swap back as required

 

[XweAponX]

Hm, a legitimate Adobe Flash or Java update will not show on a webpage, but in your Notifications in the Taskbar. A small Icon for either will appear. Install updates for these ONLY from those notifications, never from a webpage.