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Adobe Flash has had a tumultuous past, frequently exposing critical vulnerabilities and requiring Adobe to release security updates regularly. These security flaws have affected Flash on Windows, Mac, and Linux. So how can you make sure that your Mac is protected against Flash vulnerabilities?
Chances are, Flash isn’t installed on your Mac at all. Since Safari 10 was released with macOS Sierra in 2015, Adobe’s Flash Player has been disabled by default, and previously you had to disable it manually. Clearly, Apple isn’t willing to expose customers to Flash vulnerabilities. In fact, Apple recommends using HTML5, the newer, safer approach to surf the Internet. However, Apple doesn’t prevent you from installing Flash if you want to run Flash content on your Mac. If you want to install Flash, we’ve got you covered.
If Flash is installed on your Mac and you want to uninstall it, this article will describe how you can do it easily and quickly.
Do I need Flash on my Mac?
You should be certain that you do not need Flash before uninstalling it. It is likely that you can enjoy browsing the web without the need for Flash, as many websites have now been updated to use HTML5 instead, particularly since Adobe confirmed in July 2017 that: “Adobe plans Flash at the end of its useful life to finish”. Few websites still use Flash, and the most notable one is All4.
How to Check If Flash is Installed on Your Mac
If you’re wondering whether Flash is installed on your Mac, you can quickly check it out. If you don’t have Flash installed, you will see “Blocked plugin” when you attempt to view Flash content in Safari.
You can also see a message like this:
If you want to install Flash, you can do it with our step-by-step guide.
How to Uninstall Adobe Flash Player on Your Mac
If it turns out that Flash is installed on your Mac, but you have decided that the Internet is a better place without Flash, maybe because you have heard of a recent vulnerability or because you want to avoid seeing Flash advertisements, here is how to remove it:
- Download the latest uninstaller from Adobe.
- Launch the uninstaller from your Downloads folder.
- Enter your administrator password and close all your browsers.
- Once the uninstaller is complete, delete the following two folders:/Library/Preferences/Macromedia/Flash Player/Library/Caches/Adobe/Flash Player
HTML5 vs. Flash
HTML5 is slowly replacing Flash as the primary way of displaying videos and content on the Internet. It is an open standard that is natively supported on various devices and platforms, including PC web browsers, mobile devices, and smart TVs.
Flash, on the other hand, is a proprietary technology owned and operated by Adobe. While Flash has long been considered the de facto standard for web-based video, it’s not a native component of most browsers and must be enabled with a built-in plug-in or a downloadable plug-in from Adobe.
Java Vulnerabilities on the Mac
Java may also suffer from vulnerabilities and has come under fire as a means for hackers to gain control over computers. Most recently, it was flagged by Apple as a way to use the Specter vulnerability. Apple wrote about Specter that, “While they are extremely difficult to exploit, even by an app running locally on a Mac or iOS device, they may be exploited in JavaScript running in a web browser.” It’s not just Flash that can be affected by security flaws.
In April 2012, more than 600,000 Macs were reportedly infected with a Flashback Trojan installed on their computers using Java exploits. By default, Apple has already stopped bundling Java with OS X. Here’s how to disable Java on your Mac.
FAQs
1. Can I still use Flash?
While Adobe no longer supports Flash Player and its last update was published more than two years ago, you can still use Flash on your Mac. However, you should note that it is no longer considered safe or secure to use Flash, and most popular web browsers have already disabled Flash plugins.
2. How can I protect my Mac from vulnerabilities?
You should always keep your operating system and software up to date, and run reputable anti-virus software in the background. It is recommended to avoid downloading and using unknown applications from the internet, and never open suspicious emails or download attachments from unknown senders.