Scam Flash Updates in Chrome?

[gator soup]

I keep getting these "ADOBE FLASH PLAYER SOFTWARE MAY BE OUT OF DATE" pop ups in Chrome (Version 56.0.2924.76 (64-bit)) and OS-X 10.11.6 about 1-2 times a day.

Update URL points to cdn.westbead (.) com  -- is this a scam website?

But OSX System Preferences> Flash Player says I'm up to date -- what gives?

Chrome is a default install -- any ideas on what's triggering this spam?

"End User License Agreement" License and Privacy, Uninstall links all point to cm.bundlore (.) com

[Julian Ball · Accepted solution]

It’s certainly not coming from Adobe. What does the small print at the bottom of the screen say? Something about SurfBuyer…? Do you have any extensions with that name installed? A search online suggests that this is some sort of adware.

I hope that helps!

Julian

[gator soup]

Julian Ball

Thanks for the affirmation,

I looked around a bit more after posting and even saw an Adobe employee note on your forum that Chrome installs its own "Flash Player" -- who can tell anymore these fake Adobe installers or what gets installed -- they look so convincing until you start checking the links and small print???

I'm glad I ran the real Adobe Flash Player installer from OSX System Preferences for a moment's pause to this fake Flash Player update ... no add on extensions (I checked Chrome), also some User/System Library folders mentioned on various tips pages.

[Julian Ball]

Glad the feedback helped! I can't be sure if the problem comes from something in Chrome itself or some external component, but if the messages come back in future you might want to try creating a new user profile in Chrome (in the People menu) and switch to using that to see if that eradicates it completely.

[_maria_]

You can also forward a screenshot, and full URL (if you have it) to phishing@adobe.com.  Adobe does take these issues seriously and follows-up on them.