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nd22b
Participant
August 7, 2017
Question

Malware from fake update ad?

  • August 7, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1472 views

Mac OS Sierra Version 10.12.16

Safari Version 10.1.2

Adobe Flash 26.0.0.137

Question: I recently had a ad come up that said "Adobe Flash is out of date" and told me to download the update. Knowing this ad was a scam (from the url and reading about it online), I have always clicked no in the past. This time, I accidentally clicked "ok" and it downloaded, but I did not install it. I immediately deleted the download and emptied the trash. I've heard of people getting malware from these (after installation) and want to make sure just the download didn't do anything. Are there any important steps you can recommend taking to protect from the malware?

Thank you

Note: the "adobe update" ad was from youasofts.com

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

ridhij4208356012135538
Adobe Employee
Adobe Employee
August 8, 2017

Hi,

Thanks for reporting the issue. You are recommended to download the latest version of Flash Player from Adobe Flash Player Install for all versions page. During installation or even post installation you can go to system preferences, and select Flash Player, go to updates tab and select "Allow Adobe to install updates". This will help in keeping you updated as Flash Player updates are pushed on the connected machines on internet within 24hours of the newer version release.

Thanks!

Participant
March 7, 2018

Hello,

I'm desperate. It seems I downloaded Adobe Flash player from an unauthorized site, and I began to get pop ups, and tabs from unknown sites began to open saying that I had malware that needed to be deleted from my mac. I immediately deleted Flash Player and began to delete any other files that I thought might be related. However, I'm still having the same issue. Every time I open up Safari, and try to access a site or click something, there's a pop up saying that Flash Player needs to be updated, and it gives me an option to click "ok", or 'cancel' , and if I click cancel for example a window opens up with some advertisement or telling me to scan and delete malware from my laptop. It's just really frustrating.

Please, help me!

_maria_
Community Manager
Community Manager
March 7, 2018

Unfortunately, you were tricked into downloading a fake Flash Player installer.  The most appropriate reply is the second reply at Re: Latest Adobe Flash Update