Adobe Acrobat & Reader security warning

Noreen · Feb 24, 2009, 11:37:15

QuoteA dangerous and unpatched vulnerability in Adobe's Acrobat and Reader PDF-reading software has been around a lot longer than previously realised.

The bug, first reported late last week, has caused concern because it is easy to exploit and it is not expected to be patched by Adobe for several weeks. Symantec told Adobe about the flaw, which lies in the Acrobat and Reader software, on February 12, but on Monday security vendor Sourcefire said that an analysis of its database of malicious software shows that attackers have actually been using the attack for more than six weeks...................

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=111248

Ray · Feb 24, 2009, 11:41:50

Thanks, Noreen, I'm glad that I use Foxit Reader in that case.

Noreen · Feb 24, 2009, 11:55:01

Me too, I presume that Foxit isn't affected in the same way.

Ray · Feb 24, 2009, 12:00:08

Quote from: Noreen on Feb 24, 2009, 11:55:01
Me too, I presume that Foxit isn't affected in the same way.

Hopefully not, Noreen,

Sebby · Feb 24, 2009, 13:27:15

Let's wait and see if Foxit release an update...

quandam · Feb 24, 2009, 13:50:58

Quote from: Noreen on Feb 24, 2009, 11:37:15
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=111248

Thanks for that Noreen. I had been having problems with Acrobat over the past couple of weeks ( PC freezing) and was getting concerned there was a problem with my PC. Having read this thread it has cleared up some fears for me.

Importantly, I have been introduced to Foxit that I had absolutely no knowledge of. I have downloaded Foxit, should I now remove all traces of Acrobat for the time being?

Ray · Feb 24, 2009, 14:04:47

Quote from: quandam on Feb 24, 2009, 13:50:58
Thanks for that Noreen. I had been having problems with Acrobat over the past couple of weeks ( PC freezing) and was getting concerned there was a problem with my PC. Having read this thread it has cleared up some fears for me.

Importantly, I have been introduced to Foxit that I had absolutely no knowledge of. I have downloaded Foxit, should I now remove all traces of Acrobat for the time being?

I stopped using and removed Adobe Reader about 3 years ago, Quandum, and have used the Foxit Reader ever since with no problems, you will also find it is much lighter on system resources than Adobe.

Rik · Feb 24, 2009, 14:07:55

What Ray said, Q.

Rik · Feb 24, 2009, 17:59:19

El Reg is reporting an unofficial bug fix for this problem, available here:

http://vrt-sourcefire.blogspot.com/2009/02/homebrew-patch-for-adobe-acroreader-9.html

drummer · Feb 25, 2009, 01:38:55

Quote from: Rik on Feb 24, 2009, 17:59:19
El Reg is reporting an unofficial bug fix for this problem, available here:

http://vrt-sourcefire.blogspot.com/2009/02/homebrew-patch-for-adobe-acroreader-9.html

Noooo!

Just delete the sodding thing and stop trying to fix a broken tool.

Acrobat/Reader is (are?) on a par with Norton AV because neither are fit for purpose and should never be considered as viable products.

I don't have any problems with Adobe whatsoever, but I fail to understand why they continue to support this absolute pile of poop.

quandam · Feb 25, 2009, 10:19:35

Quote from: Sheltieuk on Feb 24, 2009, 14:04:47
I stopped using and removed Adobe Reader about 3 years ago, Quandum, and have used the Foxit Reader ever since with no problems, you will also find it is much lighter on system resources than Adobe.

Thanks for the advice. Would the Adobe Flash Player have the same problems?

Noreen · Feb 25, 2009, 10:26:28

Copied from American forum...........

Adobe Flash Player 10.0.22.87 Released

Direct links for downloadable versions:

Flash Player 10.0.22.87 stand-alone .EXE installer for IE, 1MB
http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_10_active_x.exe

Flash Player 10.0.22.87 stand-alone .EXE installer for Netscape (Mozilla), 1MB
http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player.exe

How to uninstall the Adobe Flash Player plug-in and ActiveX control
Uninstaller v4.0.0.14, 136KB.
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_14157

Rik · Feb 25, 2009, 12:35:39

Thanks, Noreen.

Gary · Feb 25, 2009, 23:39:33

Quote from: quandam on Feb 25, 2009, 10:19:35
Thanks for the advice. Would the Adobe Flash Player have the same problems?

Doesn't the latest foxit reader come with the ask.com toolbar now with no opt out? Sumatra works well as an alternative though http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/index.html

drummer · Feb 26, 2009, 00:25:43

Quote from: Gary on Feb 25, 2009, 23:39:33
Doesn't the latest foxit reader come with the ask.com toolbar now with no opt out?...

Nope, it's completely optional.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Gary · Feb 26, 2009, 07:56:30

Quote from: drummer on Feb 26, 2009, 00:25:43
Nope, it's completely optional.

That's good to know

thanks drummer

Sebby · Feb 26, 2009, 13:02:33

The wording is a bit strange, Gary. If you glance quickly at it, you might think you had to accept to continue with the installation.

Rik · Feb 26, 2009, 13:03:30

It took me a couple of re-reads to work it out, Seb, I agree with you.

Sebby · Feb 26, 2009, 13:08:34

Clearly a deliberate move by Foxit.

Rik · Feb 26, 2009, 13:11:07

I think so.

drummer · Feb 27, 2009, 04:01:00

Quote from: Sebby on Feb 26, 2009, 13:02:33
The wording is a bit strange, Gary. If you glance quickly at it, you might think you had to accept to continue with the installation.

I think you're being disingenuous.

Who, in their right, mind glances quickly at freeware installer options? I certainly don't and I suspect neither do you.

Sorry chaps, but I really came to loathe Adobe's pdf reader software, having used it without a problem for over a decade. It just suddenly became bloatware and virtually unusable, which is why I now always recommend Foxit for pdf files.

You know it makes sense...

Sebby · Feb 27, 2009, 13:32:11

I always install software very quickly.