Weeks after Adobe's release of its latest Flash update, Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) is already advising users to either deactivate or uninstall the player and its browser plug-in until Adobe can fix a new security problem.
BSI, an arm of the government, advises bureaucracy and the public about viruses and hacking.
The vulnerability places users at risk of having malware put onto their machine if they happen to go to a website designed by hackers or load a manipulated web banner. The malware can be used by hackers to suck up private information like passwords.
Uninstall Flash on Windows machines by going to the Software tab and then picking Programmes and Functions in the system settings.
Firefox users can remove Flash by deactivating Extras/Add-ons/Plugins. Users of Shockwave Flash have to activate either the button that prompts the programme to ask if items should be activated or the one that instructs the application to never activate plug-ins.
Chrome Browsers need to go to the Settings/Extra Settings icon and then click on the Data Security button.
From there, go to Content Settings and, under Plug-ins, pick the option that
lets users choose themselves when plug-in contents should be executed.
Alternatively, just deactivate the plug-in by accessing the section that lets users manage individual plug-ins.