Flash Player Security Error Screen Is it a Virus?

You might find this interesting:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/12/d ... e-it-right

Hi Askey127,

Thanks for all your help.

Yes, I did uninstall Security Task Manager; before sending you off the last two logs in fact. You're not still seeing it, right?

When you say to find original publisher software to Google "<softwarename> Publisher" how do I determine the true publisher name, or do I just for example search for:
"Camstudio publisher?"

Finally, what do I do with all these programs we downloaded? Is there a cleanup software I can use to remove them?

Again, thanks so much for all your help. You are a genuine authority on malware issues.

-Bonnie

The article about cnet was very interesting. I always thought downloading from cnet was safe. Live and learn, I guess.

bonnie,
CNET is not the only one that has been like that, although the publicity has been scalding them.

I didn't/don't see any signs of Security Task Manager.

CamStudio publisher in Google would be an Example of an entry to find out the original publisher
Even CNET and other distributors frequently show a link to the publisher's website.

If you open OTL and hit the Clean Up button it will remove most of our tools.

Good Job.
askey127

Askey127, again, thank you so much for all your help.

This topic has been re-opened, since the User, via PM, reports added flash player messages.

bonnie,
------------------------------------------------
Remove Programs Using Control Panel
From Start, Control Panel, click on Programs and Features
Click each Entry, as follows, one by one, if it exists, choose Uninstall, and give permission to Continue:

Adobe Flash player .. Plugin
Adobe Flash player .. ActiveX

Take extra care in answering questions posed by any Uninstaller.
-----------------------------------------------------------
REBOOT (RESTART) Your Machine

Start Firefox.
Get the Newest Version of Flash Player
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
(Be sure to UNCHECK any Toolbar, McAfee Security Plus, Chrome, etc offers before you click Download)

Start Internet Explorer.
Get the Newest Version of Flash Player
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ (Be sure to UNCHECK any Toolbar, McAfee Security Plus, Chrome, etc offers before you click Download)

You should be OK, but...
Let me know if you get any more messages.
If you do, please copy the website address from the top browser bar if you can, and report it here.

askey127

Okay, I did this and will let you know what happens. It's very weird, because it took so long to happen this past time, and it only happened once. But I suppose all it takes is once, right?

You can read about those kind of messages here:
https://www.adobe.com/security/flashplayer/articles/localcontent/

I don't believe there is anything wrong with your machine.
You will now have the latest Flash Player, and your machine does not appear to have any malware.

You may get these messages related to playing movies, other downloaded content.
The contents of the message (i.e the "object" and the potential website contacted) give clues as to what triggers it.
The messages seem to be flagging media content that "phones home".

Askey127, this has not happened since we uninstalled/reinstalled Flash, so I'm guessing it's now working. Now, as new Flash version become available, should I uninstall the older version and install the newer version, or just update the present version? I know someone told me you should never just update Java and should always uninstall older version and install new version. Also, isn't there a site that will tell you if you have the latest versions of all these addons like Flash and Java?

bonnie,
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If you go to this site, it will display your currently installed Flash Player version:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html
It will show some version numbers, formatted like 10.0.22.4

You can go to Control panel > Programs and look at the installed programs.
The exact version of Java will show.

On both Java and Flash Player, it's better to Uninstall the old ones yourself.
Just installing the new one(s) has been unreliable for removing the old ones.

The Java download is here. http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Be sure to download the JRE.

When you download Flash Player, do it once using Firefox and install.
Then download and run again with Internet Explorer and install.
It's here: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
They are not the same program - one is a plugin, the other is an ActiveX program.
The site senses which browser you are using and downloads the correct one.
BE SURE TO UNCHECK ANY ADD-ON "GIFTS" BEFORE CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD.

You can install Secunia PSI to tell you which programs need updates.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
It also gives links to the downloads. It's reliable.
You can run it for a short time and then shut it off after a few days.
You may find it a nuisance if you use it continually.
askey127

Just happened again. I followed a link from a news site to: http://delcotimes.com/articles/2012/11/14/news/doc50a3d86b50a8d695064732.txt and sure enough the error box opened.

If you want Delcotimes to tell its home location that you are linking to it, then say OK.
Otherwise hit the X in the upper right hand corner of the message.
This is how it works.
If you don't want any animated content, then Uninstall all Adobe Flash Player programs in the Control Panel.
If you do want animated content, then decide for each one whether you want to be tracked.

I know a lot of people who have Flash installed and they don't get these boxes. Why me?
There is no other way to stop this, then to uninstall Flash? What about changing settings or something?

I don't get these boxes either, but I don't visit a lot of sites that use flash player animations.
If Adobe says it's normal, it is.
I would pay attention to which sites are producing this, and assume that those sites want to track that usage.

If you can tell me which local application or program is showing in the message, there may be other clues