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ruthjlee
Participant
April 20, 2014
Answered

Flash installation .dmg: virus or legit?

  • April 20, 2014
  • 1 reply
  • 58532 views

I'm on OSX on a Macbook Air.  For a few days now, .app installation files for Flash (which I already have installed) have been turning up unbidden on my desktop at a rate of a few every hour, until they litter the desktop.   I don't remember the update process being anything like this in the past, though I can't recall how it usually works.  Is there anything legit about this, or is it a virus?  I've tried to attach screenshots, but they seem to be too large.

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Correct answer Test Screen Name

I downloaded it and got to worrying. So I started checking and found this thread. Here is the site I got it from.  https://www.frequencysmart.com/FTVUzRKilV6RA?imp_id=ca0b80e6-90e1-4bee-b8da-c3513ec88b07&source=Safari&c=c1916bfd-55df-e…

What is the danger to having it?

Thanks,

Bill


Yes, be very worried. If you installed it, best practice is to wipe the disk and restore your data from a backup taken before the infection.

1 reply

C_F_McBlob
C_F_McBlob
Inspiring
April 20, 2014

ruthjlee wrote:

I'm on OSX on a Macbook Air.  For a few days now, .app installation files for Flash (which I already have installed) have been turning up unbidden on my desktop at a rate of a few every hour, until they litter the desktop.   I don't remember the update process being anything like this in the past, though I can't recall how it usually works.  Is there anything legit about this, or is it a virus?  I've tried to attach screenshots, but they seem to be too large.

There is no such thing as a virus for OS X. I absolutely DO NOT CARE what anyone else says, or who they are. There is no such thing.

The DMG for Flash will only "show up" on your desktop if you download it. That can happen when you click on a link disguised as a video, or an image, but Adobe doesn't download them automatically. If your Flash Player is up to date, you can delete any DMG that does download. You don't need it.

R
ruthjleeAuthor
Participant
April 20, 2014

Thanks Mike.  So, how might I prevent them from continuing to appear?

R
ruthjleeAuthor
Participant
April 20, 2014

Be careful what you click... especially on sites you don't trust?

It's hard to say without knowing the source of the downloads.  Safari will show you when something is downloading.

There are literally thousands of fake Flash Player download sites.  Most disguised as video pages. Vigilance is your best protection.


I don't recall visiting any sites that I thought were suspect.  Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed from here?

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