Got a pop-up from Adobe

[Brian5E2B]

Hi everyone,

I have a MacBook with a Safari browser. I got a pop-up from Adobe this morning, 12/1/20, saying that Adobe was discontinuing support for their Flash software. There was a button on the pop-up to uninstall but I didn't click on it because I've had aggressive hackers try to use a fake Adobe pop-up to try and take control of my computer. Right now, Safari (my Mac browser) deactivated the program and it's in storage on the computer and not being used. I got rid of the pop-up and went directly to the Adobe site to confirm that yes, Adobe was discontinuing support for Flash as of 12/31/2020. If I do nothing, and do not uninstall  the Flash program, I think it would just remain in storage and there wouldn't be any issues, but I'm not sure. On the other hand, is there a place on the Adobe website where I may legitimately uninstall Adobe Flash? This maybe an easier issue to deal with than I realize at the moment. Thanks for your help. [Email removed by moderator for your protection.]

[_maria_ · Accepted solution]

You're concern for internet security is very legitimate.  With that said, the prompt to uninstall is most likely legitimate as well, as Adobe has started displaying the prompt to remind users to uninstall Flash Player ahead of it's end-of-life at the end of 2020.

Apple dropped support for Flash Player in Safari 14, released in Sept 2020.  I think this is what you mean by "Right now, Safari (my Mac browser) deactivated the program and it's in storage on the computer and not being used"

As Flash Player is being end-of-lifed, it's recommended to uninstall it, instead of just leaving it on the system.  To download the uninstaller, go to https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html

For completeness, here's the original Flash Player end-of-life announcement: https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2017/07/25/adobe-flash-update.html

And the recently published end-of-life FAQ: https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/end-of-life.html

[David5C62]

So what is going to replace Adobe Flash Player? Is there a new program that Operating Systems will run on, and what about the Pdf. documents already recognized by Adobe FlashPlayer on all computers?

Thank you.

[_maria_]

There isn't a plugin that will replace Flash Player.  The onus is on content developers to migrate their content to some other technology, for exmape HTML5 which most modern browsers already support.  This is why Adobe, and browser vendors, made the announcement over 3 years ago - to give content developers sufficient time to migrate.  Some will, some  will not.

If a content developer doesn't migrate their content to some other technology, their content will stop working as all browsers will drop support for Flash Player plugin. 

For enterprise customers who have not been able to migrate their content, Adobe has partnered with HARMAN (a long-time distribution licensing partner) to identify a solution to support their products until they can migrate to a different technology.

[jeromiec83223024]

Also, PDF documents are displayed by Adobe Acrobat / Reader, not Flash Player.  Acrobat is not going away.

[Nancy OShea]

Flash Player is for playing Flash/SWF content.  When Flash Player finally ends on Dec 31st, most people will never miss it.

PDF is different media that requires a PDF viewer like FREE Acrobat Reader or paid Acrobat Pro.  Flash Player's demise will not effect your ability to view PDF.

FREE Acrobat Reader -- view, comment, print & sign PDF.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

Paid Acrobat Pro DC -- the complete solution for creating and saving PDF.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html