Critical Security Update for Adobe Flash Player

Adobe Flash Player was updated again today to address critical security vulnerabilities.  These updates address vulnerabilities currently being exploited in the wild.

CVE-2013-0643 and CVE-2013-0648 are being exploited in the wild in targeted attacks designed to trick the user into clicking a link which directs to a website serving malicious Flash (SWF) content.

CVE-2013-0643 and CVE-2013-0648 are designed to target Flash Player in Firefox.

Update Information

The newest versions are as follows:

Windows and Macintosh:  11.6.602.171
Linux: 11.2.202.273

Release date: February 26, 2013
Vulnerability identifier: APSB13-08
CVE number: CVE-2013-0504, CVE-2013-0643, CVE-2013-0648
Platform: All platforms

Flash Player Update Instructions

Flash Player for Windows, Macintosh and Linux

Although Adobe suggests downloading the update from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center or by using the auto-update mechanism within the product when prompted, if you prefer, direct download links are available.

• Non-IE (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_11_plugin.exe
   
• Flash Player For Internet Explorer 7, 8 & 9:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_11_active_x.exe
  
  Flash Player for Internet Explorer 10: Microsoft updated Security Advisory 2755801.  If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled, the Flash Player update can be downloaded from the Download Center at Update for Internet Explorer Flash Player for Windows 8 Release Preview (KB2758994).
  
  
• Flash Player Uninstaller:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe

Notes:

• If you use the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, be careful to uncheck the optional McAfee Security Plus box.  It is not needed for the Flash Player update.
• Uncheck any toolbar offered with Adobe products if not wanted.
• If you use alternate browsers, it is necessary to install the update for both Internet Explorer as well as the update for alternate browsers.
• The separate 32-bit and 64-bit uninstallers have been replaced with a single uninstaller.

Adobe Flash Player for Android

The latest version for Adobe Flash Player for Android is available by downloading it from the Android Marketplace by browsing to it on a mobile phone.

Verify Installation

To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number installed on your computer, go to the About Flash Player page, or right-click on content running in Flash Player and select "About Adobe Flash Player" from the menu. 

Do this for each browser installed on your computer.

To verify the version of Adobe Flash Player for Android, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Adobe Flash Player x.x.

References

• Adobe Priority Ratings
• Adobe Security Advisory: Security updates available for Adobe Flash Player
• PSIRT Blog: Security updates available for Adobe Flash Player (APSB13-08) 
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 11.5 AIR® 3.5

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

IE10 for Windows 7 Released

Internet Explorer 10 has been released globally for Windows 7.  It is available in 95 languages.

Initially, the update will be available via Windows Update for those running the IE10 release preview, followed in stages for the remaining Windows 7 users.  If you would rather not wait to be offered the update, IE10 is available via the links shown below.

Note that IE10 is not compatible with Windows Vista.

Key Improvements

Key improvements in IE9 include improved performance, security, and privacy.  Of major significance are the results of the independent testing conducted by NSS Labs, referenced below, in which IE10 with App Rep had a mean malware block rate of 99.1%.

System Requirements

Processor

• Computer with a 1 gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.

Operating system

• Windows 7 32-bit with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or higher
• Windows 7 64-bit with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or higher
• Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) 64-bit

Memory

• Windows 7 32-bit—512 MB
• Windows 7 64-bit—512 MB
• Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit—512 MB

Hard drive space

• Windows 7 32-bit—70 MB
• Windows 7 64-bit—120 MB
• Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit—200 MB

Display

• Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors 

Download Link

Go here to determine if your PC is running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

• Worldwide:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-10/worldwide-languages

References

• Browser Security Comparative Analysis: Socially Engineered Malware
• How to obtain prerequisite updates for Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 that fail to install
• IE10 for Windows 7 Globally Available for Consumers and Businesses
• Internet Explorer 10 now available for more than 700M Windows customers
• Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 privacy statement - Microsoft Windows

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Moving to SkyDrive

I hope Security Garden readers haven't missed the message from the Windows Live Mesh and SkyDrive Teams announcing the retirement of Mesh earlier this month.

With the retirement of Mesh the following changes are taking place:

• Remote desktop and peer-to-peer sync are no longer be available.
• Any data on the Mesh cloud (Mesh synced storage or SkyDrive synced storage) will be permanently deleted on August 13, 2013.  (Mesh users go here to access your Mesh online storage.)
• Synced folders have stopped syncing.
• You are no longer able to connect to your PCs remotely using Mesh.

Get SkyDrive

Whether you are a former Windows Live Mesh user or just never tried SkyDrive, you will discover that it is very easy to set up.  SkyDrive works on Windows 8, Windows 7, or Vista, and Mac OS X Lion computers.

Setting up SkyDrive couldn't be easier.

1. Download SkyDrive Desktop App for Windows
2. Double-click SkyDriveSetup to start the installation.
   
3. Click the Getting Started link on the Wizard that launches after installation.
   
4. Sign in with your Microsoft Account.  If you don't have a Microsoft Account yet, just click the link to sign up.
5. Click Next and you have the option to change the location of the Skydrive folder, although you may want to stay with the default.
   
6. As appropriate, check the box to "Make files on this PC available to me on my other devices" and then click Done.
   
7. All you need to do to get started is drag the files and folders to your new SkyDrive folder and the application does the rest!

It is that easy!

Now you can easily access your files from another computer or device.  With 7 GB of free storage, you have enough space for 20,000 Office documents or 7,000 photos.

SkyDrive Desktop for Windows System Requirements

• Operating system: One of the following:
  • 32- or 64-bit version of either Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 and the Platform Update for Windows Vista. (This app can't be installed on PCs running Windows RT.)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2008 with Service Pack 2 and the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008
• Processor: 1.6 GHz or higher, Pentium IV or higher
• Memory: 1 GB of RAM or higher
• Internet connection: High-speed Internet access is recommended.

~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

As a SkyDrive Insider, I am excited to share information about SkyDrive.  If you have a question about this post, please leave a comment and I'll do my best to assist.

Learn more about the SkyDrive Insiders program here. 

References

• Download SkyDrive Desktop App for Windows
• Download SkyDrive Apps
• SkyDrive Help & How-to

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...