Adobe shock wave player question

I post this as a separate question so as to not confuse the issue.
I also post here rather than adobe forums because here you get more and better help
Vista home basic
Laptop
NIS 2012

Ok the system tray icon shows an icon that says shock wave updater
Not sure if my wife installed flash player or shockwave player ( can’t ask her for reasons not to stare here : ) )
So when I go to the install/uninstall feature of vista, I see flash player listed but not shockwave player.
So I’m really confused as to what she has installed.
I have questions about shockwave player
1. I thought in the past I read that shockwave player is very vulnerable to malware/malicious intent than flash player. I’s that true?

2. Does shockwave player allow you to view regular flash content as well as shock wave content?

3. is it advisable to use flash player instead of shockwave player?