Remember Adobe Flash? Those wacky animations and interactive games that once ruled the internet? Well, those days are long gone. Flash Player is officially dead as of December 2020, and keeping it on your computer is not only pointless, but it could also be dangerous.
Why Flash is a Cyber Security Threat:
End of Life: Adobe officially stopped supporting Flash at the end of 2020. This means no more security updates, leaving you exposed to known vulnerabilities.
Exploit Playground: Hackers know Flash is vulnerable and actively target it to gain access to your computer. These attacks can steal your personal information, install malware, or even take control of your device.
Are You Still Using Flash? How to Check:
you can visit this site or skip this and follow the next instructions to do it manually https://www.whatismybrowser.com/detect/is-flash-installed#google_vignette
Open your web browser.
In the address bar, type about:plugins and press Enter.
Look for anything related to "Adobe Flash Player". If it's present, you still have Flash installed.
Mac:
Open Safari. (This method works best in Safari, but Flash can also be installed for other browsers on Mac.)
Go to the Safari menu > Preferences.
Click on the "Websites" tab.
Select "Plugins" from the sidebar.
Look for an entry for "Adobe Flash Player". If it's there, Flash is installed.
Uninstalling Flash on Windows:
Head to the Official Source: Always go to the official source for uninstallation to avoid scams. Visit https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html
Download the Uninstaller: Download the version compatible with your Windows system (32-bit or 64-bit).
Close Conflicting Programs: Make sure to close your web browser and any other programs that might be using Flash before running the uninstaller.
Run the Uninstaller: Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts.
Restart Your Computer: Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer for good measure.
Verifying Flash Removal (Windows):
Open Your Browser: Launch your preferred web browser.
Test Your Flash Status: Visit a website like https://www.whatismybrowser.com/detect/is-flash-installed#google_vignette to see if Flash is still detected.
Flash-Free? If the website says Flash is not detected, congratulations! You've successfully removed it.
Uninstalling Flash on Mac:
The Power of Drag and Drop: For Macs running OS X 10.4 and later, open Finder and navigate to Applications > Utilities.
Find the Flash Player Installer: Locate the file "Adobe Flash Player Installer.dmg" and drag it to the Trash.
Empty the Trash: Empty your Trash to permanently remove the installer.
No More Worries!
By uninstalling Flash Player, you're taking a significant step towards improving your computer's security.
Tagridge Technologies: Your Partners in Cybersecurity
At Tagridge Technologies, we take online safety seriously. We offer a range of cybersecurity solutions to protect individuals and businesses from evolving threats. Contact us today and learn how we can help you create a safer digital space.
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