And luckily, you can still access older websites without sacrificing your online security. Still, not all websites stopped using Flash. One of the biggest game-changers was Google Chrome switching over from Flash to HTML5 as of late 2016.
WHAT IS ADOBE FLASH PLAYER IS IT SAFE UPGRADE
If that’s the case, your only options are to upgrade your device or uninstall the software altogether.īefore Adobe abandoned Flash Player, a lot of websites realized its drawbacks and dangers, and made the switch to HTML5. Maybe the device you’re using is so old that new updates no longer cater for it. Chrome is pretty on-the-ball with updates, for instance, but if you notice one still needing installation (because your browser works to its own schedule), don't be afraid to do it yourself.Īnd make sure you uninstall outdated or unsupported software.ĭead software isn’t just the result of a parent company abandoning it.
WHAT IS ADOBE FLASH PLAYER IS IT SAFE UPDATE
You can set your browser to automatically update extensions. Sure, you can postpone it to when you’re not busy using your device or software but make sure to update it as soon as possible. Most desktop software send out regular notifications letting you when there’s a new update available. Adobe has been publicizing the demise of Flash for years. Simply reading about software you use and their manufacturers can let you know whether there are reports of a serious bug, or if they’re no longer supporting it. While you don’t have to completely immerse yourself and become tech-savvy overnight, there are a couple of steps to take and habits to get into to avoid still using outdated software.įor one, you should follow technology news. If you’re pretty lax when it comes to software updates, or rarely read the notification and alert messages your apps send, it can be easy to find yourself using outdated software long after its demise. As early as 2010, Steve Jobs, the late founder of Apple, published a letter criticizing Flash for being unreliable, power-intensive, and littered with security drawbacks.īut that still didn’t stop millions of people from using it on a daily basis in their browsers (and crediting it for the best online games of their childhood).īut now that Adobe Flash is officially dead, the risks are greater than ever. However, while Flash made it easy to browse media-rich websites without needing heavy software or complex programming languages, it has always presented some security risks. You might be more used to calling it Shockwave Flash if you use Internet Edge, Firefox, or Google Chrome.įirst created in 1996, Adobe Flash Player allows your browser to run a variety of media online from video and audio to games and web apps. Adobe Flash is a staple plugin in most browsers from Chrome to Internet Edge and Firefox.īut what happens now that Adobe has stopped supporting it? Can outdated plugins be a threat to your online security?Īdobe Flash Player is a piece of software that runs multimedia files in numerous browsers. You’ve most likely used it several times even without noticing.
Adobe Flash Player has been an online giant for over a decade now.