December 08, 2011
Do You Use Adobe Reader?
There is currently a zero day exploit - a hole in the software that is known but has no patch available as yet - making the rounds.
Security Threat in Reader
I'm linking to a Mac site because it needs to be emphasized that this is a problem with Adobe Reader NOT just on Windows PC's but on Windows, Mac, and even UNIX machines (which I assume includes Linux).
Version 9.4.6 is the currently exploited software (there is malicious software in the wild). On Windows machines, it will be patched next week. If you are on a Mac or on Unix using this version you are SOL because... hey dudes, it's the holidays! They'll get something out early next year...
Oh... Jolly good then.
If you have a new version of Adobe 10.1.1 there are some options available. The first paragraph refers to Mac (because it is a Mac site).
Or better yet - get rid of Adobe if you can. If you are only using it to read pdf's, then for heaven sake - on Mac use Preview. It's on your system and it's free. If you need a pdf type thing that's allows you to edit, use PDF Pen. It's great and it's cheap!
If you use Windows, do yourself a huge favor and grab Foxit Reader. It's free and about 1000% faster when opening PDF files than Adobe is. They also have editing software that is not too expensive (although I have not used it).
Really - get off Adobe Reader - get it off your system and you will be safer and be able to read documents far faster than you can with it.
Security Threat in Reader
I'm linking to a Mac site because it needs to be emphasized that this is a problem with Adobe Reader NOT just on Windows PC's but on Windows, Mac, and even UNIX machines (which I assume includes Linux).
Version 9.4.6 is the currently exploited software (there is malicious software in the wild). On Windows machines, it will be patched next week. If you are on a Mac or on Unix using this version you are SOL because... hey dudes, it's the holidays! They'll get something out early next year...
Oh... Jolly good then.
If you have a new version of Adobe 10.1.1 there are some options available. The first paragraph refers to Mac (because it is a Mac site).
To enable protected view in Adobe's Reader X and Acrobat X products, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences. Then select "Security (Enhanced)" and check the option to "Enable Enhanced Security," ensure that either the "All Files" or "Files from potentially usafe locations" are checked if they are available.
On Windows PCs you can also go to the "General" section of the preferences and ensure that "Enable Protected Mode at Startup" is selected, but this option is not available for Reader on OS X.
Or better yet - get rid of Adobe if you can. If you are only using it to read pdf's, then for heaven sake - on Mac use Preview. It's on your system and it's free. If you need a pdf type thing that's allows you to edit, use PDF Pen. It's great and it's cheap!
If you use Windows, do yourself a huge favor and grab Foxit Reader. It's free and about 1000% faster when opening PDF files than Adobe is. They also have editing software that is not too expensive (although I have not used it).
Really - get off Adobe Reader - get it off your system and you will be safer and be able to read documents far faster than you can with it.
Posted by: Teresa in
WebTech
at
02:02 PM
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Post contains 368 words, total size 2 kb.
1
Thank you for this - I had no idea Adobe Reader was such a problem, although I was running Version 10. But it's gone now, and you're right: Foxit Reader is many times faster - I just opened a huge file in less than a second. Adobe used to take 7 or 8 seconds for the same task.
You're the best, T.
You're the best, T.
Posted by: Rev. Paul at December 08, 2011 08:52 PM (EJRAb)
2
You're welcome Rev Paul. You'll find the only real drawback to Foxit is that the update procedure is a little strange, but otherwise it works very well. Enjoy being able to look at things so much faster! 
Posted by: Teresa at December 08, 2011 09:39 PM (jxg4K)
3
As usual, T, you do a great service here. I had no idea it was so evil either! I just uninstalled "Adobe Reader X" from my desktop (Win 7) computer. I am wondering, now, do I need to worry about "Adobe Acrobat X Pro"? Sorry for the dumb q but I use Adobe Creative Suite (latest) and it's all packaged/bundled including updates (which I do manually, usually, but still). My understanding (or lack thereof) is that Adobe Acrobat X Pro is for "editing" and "creating" PDFs, not so much for "reading" them. Clues? Thanks again!
Posted by: sheri at December 10, 2011 10:10 AM (7FREh)
4
Forgot to add, I just grabbed Foxit Reader and installed it and made it my default PDF reader.
Posted by: sheri at December 10, 2011 10:11 AM (7FREh)
5
Sadly the Adobe Creative Suite all have the problems. But since it's not your default reader anymore, you should be fairly protected from mischief. You would need to open a bad pdf from the Creative Suite for it to do its thing. Since it's unlikely you'd be editing one of those pdfs, it wouldn't be a problem.
Be sure to update it whenever you see a new update come in though.
Be sure to update it whenever you see a new update come in though.
Posted by: Teresa at December 10, 2011 11:43 AM (jxg4K)
6
BIG fan of Foxit. Been using it a couple years now.
Posted by: Harvey at December 14, 2011 10:33 PM (Ha/T5)
7
Isn't it excellent Harvey. I was so astounded the first time I used it and the pdf opened immediately... amazing.
Posted by: Teresa at December 15, 2011 11:36 AM (jxg4K)
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