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Regular Contributor
itsme
Posts: 84
Registered: ‎03-14-2009

WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java

[ Edited ]

I would advise everyone here to uninstall  any older version of Adobe Reader and install version 9.1.

I would also advise everyone to uninstall and any older version of Java Runtime Environment (Java) and install JRE 6.

 

Adobe Reader 7 ( and I also understand 8 as well) has an exploit in it that allows Trojans to be placed through it, even if you don't open it up ( the offending websites will do that for you).

I also read elsewhere that the older versions of JRE are also vulnerable.

 

I speak from experience!

 

I was taking an online survey from a site that I normally use. It redirects surveys to other sites at times.

 

When the page opened, all of a sudden my Adobe Reader 7 (fully updated) opened up in several places on the desktop.

Note that I had it turned off even on the start menu (even the updater). Using task manager you would never see it running.

The only time it would run of course is when a webpage called for it to do so.

 

So I ended up having to use task manager to turn it off in several places in addition to the 4 or 5 places that opened up in windows on the desktop!

 

I was using Trend Micro, Webroot SpySweeper, and Zone Alarm Pro Firewall at the time ( not to mention a Prosafe Hardware Firewall in my router with VPN). 

Also, I always keep my Windows Patches current via update manager.

 

The only warning that I received was that it was being blocked by my Anti-Virus Program.

I ended up getting a Trojan and some nasty adware and other things ( in the registry keys as well) .

 

I couldn't do a search without being hijacked after clicking on the seach results. I also couldn't get into my registry and some other things as well.

 

I just got it resolved through help on this forum.

 

Please do yourselves a favor and update those 2 items!

 

 

[edit: changed subject to better reflect thread topic.]

Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-19-2009 02:42 PM
XP Pro SP3
NIS 2011
Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware on demand
Keylogger Crusher
cinek
Posts: 434
Registered: ‎01-13-2009

Re: WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java

[ Edited ]

emm I don't get it - what does this have to do with norton????

 

[edit: changed subject to better reflect thread topic.]
 

Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-19-2009 02:43 PM
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NIS 20.2.1.22
Windows 7 64bit
Regular Contributor
NY1986
Posts: 1,173
Registered: ‎06-27-2008

Re: WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java

[ Edited ]

I think because the fact that it causes a security issue that would in turn have to involve Norton products to protect your machine... or some such.

 

Thanks' itsme, I don't doubt what you say   Can we have some other confirmation of this? I installed Adobe reader 9.1 and it appears that it removed the older version. Would that be true?

 

 

I also have Java Runtime environment 6   I also still have 1.6.0_2,  1.6.0_3 , 1.6.0_5, and 1.6.0_7

 

If I delete those, what function would I lose?

Also in my temporary internet files under downloaded objects I have several instances of JRE1.6.0 version 6.0.120.4

 

do those need to go?

Message Edited by NY1986 on 03-19-2009 05:18 AM
 
[edit: changed subject to better reflect thread topic.]
 
Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-19-2009 02:44 PM
Regular Contributor
Posts: 114
Registered: ‎12-28-2008

Re: WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java

[ Edited ]

cinek wrote:
emm I don't get it - what does this have to do with norton????

 

Less malware for Norton to have to clean up after? :smileywink: :smileytongue: :smileywink:

 

But seriously, though, it is a security-related topic, and Norton is a security-related product, and we're all interested in security (right?), so I don't mind seeing some preventative tips/reminders once in a while about how to stay safe(r). At least that's how it seems to me at the moment.

 

Edited to add:

Oops, I should have refreshed the page to see new messages before I posted, 'cause NY1986 said basically what I was thinking. :smileywink:

Message Edited by j2000 on 03-19-2009 05:39 AM
 [edit: changed subject to better reflect thread topic.]

 
Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-19-2009 02:44 PM
Regular Contributor
GreatNate1312
Posts: 637
Registered: ‎01-02-2009

Re: WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java

[ Edited ]
If I uninstall adobe reader 9 will I lose all my adobe files? I need those??? As for java I just updated java a few weeks ago through there website/
Message Edited by GreatNate1312 on 03-19-2009 06:10 AM
 
[edit: changed subject to better reflect thread topic.]
 
Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-19-2009 02:45 PM
Regular Contributor
GreatNate1312
Posts: 637
Registered: ‎01-02-2009

Re: WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java

[ Edited ]

UPDATE- Never mind- to get to version 9.1, open adobe, click help, go down to check for updates, and install ALL updates. Its that simple! A restart isnt even needed. In no time youll be atversion 9.1! As for java, you can go to there website and check if you have the latest version. If you dont have the reccomended version you just download it from there site!

 

click the link and then hit DO I HAVE JAVA?

 

http://java.com/en/download/dt_verify.jsp?plugin=true&latest=true&users_jre=1.6.0_12

Message Edited by GreatNate1312 on 03-19-2009 06:19 AM
 
[edit: changed subject to better reflect thread topic.]
 
Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-19-2009 02:46 PM
Regular Contributor
Gorg
Posts: 45
Registered: ‎12-11-2008

Re: WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java

[ Edited ]

This: "I was using Trend Micro, Webroot SpySweeper, and Zone Alarm Pro Firewall at the time"

 

If you're running all that at the same time, you have bigger problems than you realize.

 

Also, you don't mention using Norton anywhere, yet you received help here, why didn't you seek help over at Trend's site? Or Webroot? Or Zonealarm?

 

 

Message Edited by Gorg on 03-19-2009 05:31 PM
 
[edit: changed subject to better reflect thread topic.]
 
Message Edited by Tim_Lopez on 03-19-2009 02:46 PM
Regular Contributor
itsme
Posts: 84
Registered: ‎03-14-2009

Re: WARNING!

[ Edited ]

 

 

Howdy all.

 

The reason that I posted this is:

 

I don't want anyone else to go through the same problem that I did!

And yes, I'm a NIS user ( NIS 2009 version 16.5).

 

You can install the programs any way that you see fit. I prefer to uninstall the old versions before instaling the new ones, but that's just me...

 

Yes, I ran The three programs together (zone alarm pro, spysweeper, trend micro).

What I did was install trend micro without the firewall, using zone alarm pro for the firewall (with the anti-spyware section turned off on zone alarm)

I ran spysweeper  but with with the e mail monitoring turned off, using the one in trend micro (as it was superior).

I also didn't use the newer version of zone alarm but version 7.0.483 etc; For less conflicts.


But off course there were some conflicts and slightly slower response.


The set up worked well for me for a number of years, but with the newer program updates there started to be a bit more of a conflict.


With Norton improving their firewall on a level about par with zone alarm pro and their anti-virus seeming to equal or exceed trend micro's new models and their anti-spyware superior to trend micro's according to what I have read, I switched to NIS2009.

That's my story.

 

 

 

 

Message Edited by itsme on 03-19-2009 04:52 PM
Message Edited by itsme on 03-19-2009 05:36 PM
XP Pro SP3
NIS 2011
Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware on demand
huwyngr
Posts: 19,148
Topics: 911
Kudos: 2,357
Solutions: 338
Registered: ‎04-13-2008

Re: WARNING! Regarding older versions of Adobe Reader and Java


cinek wrote:

emm I don't get it - what does this have to do with norton????


Adobe recently issued a security warning about a serious security hole in their products Acrobat and Acrobat Reader and while fixes are in progress they advised immediate upgrade to 9.1 for those who have 8 or earlier isntalled.

 

This is a security program area! <s>

 

PS I upgraded my AR8.1 on my VISTA to make sure it is smooth so I must do it on my really active XP setup.

 

Non-security warning -- read every screen when installing AR 9.1 and uncheck a few boxes or you will get ISTR 3 Google bits you may not want!



Hugh
huwyngr
Posts: 19,148
Topics: 911
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Registered: ‎04-13-2008

Re: WARNING!

Thanks for the warning/reminder.

 

Did you avoid the Google extras? <s>

 

I had no problem with installing on top of 8.1 BTW -- it did what it should I'm sure and invoked the same uninstall module as Remove Programs does -- the one written by Adobe!



Hugh