Flash 10.3 is out

As always, FileHippo has the clean installers:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_flashplayer_ie/ (IE)

http://www.filehippo.com/download_flashplayer_firefox/ (non-IE)

The biggest change for users is the Control Panel integration in Windows (I think OS X and Linux are concerned too) - yes, after more than ten versions Flash finally uses a native settings dialog.

They've finally fixed the bug when using Flash with some NVIDIA display cards, I'm now able to re-enable hardware acceleration.

As always, FileHippo has the clean installers:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_flashplayer_ie/ (IE)

For once, Filehippo still has the old (10.3.181.14) installer.

The latest clean installer (ActiveX 10.3.181.16) can be downloaded from

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/fp_distribution3.html

This release addresses an issue with hardware acceleration on some systems with Intel HD Graphics adapters when viewing SWF content in Internet Explorer 9. With Flash Player 10.3.181.14 installed, SWF content appears in the upper-left corner of the screen. A full detailed description can be viewed by the Knowledge Base support article.

For once, Filehippo still has the old (10.3.181.14) installer.

Correction: Filehippo actually redirects to the Adobe download server (fpdownload.macromedia.com), so it really downloads the latest available version.

The latest clean installer (ActiveX 10.3.181.16) can be downloaded from

Clean ActiveX = Ultimate Oxymoron ! !

Correction: Filehippo actually redirects to the Adobe download server (fpdownload.macromedia.com), so it really downloads the latest available version.

I found that out when trying to find a previous version that didn't have graphic glitches with some NVIDIA cards but gave up since it will only download the latest version, and didn't want to download some gargantuan huge ZIP package that Adobe offers with multiple versions for testing. The glitches have thankfully been fixed.

Clean ActiveX = Ultimate Oxymoron ! !

:lol: this

Thanks for the heads up.

Clean ActiveX = Ultimate Oxymoron ! !

NPAPI does the same thing as ActiveX, y'know.

NPAPI does the same thing as ActiveX, y'know.

I was in blissful ignorance.

How do I get to sleep tonight ! !

A quick Google suggests Google Chrome is deeply affected - I was not planning to use that anyway.

I do use Firefox I see that NPAPI could be used in Plugins.

How can I tell which plugins are safe and free from NPAPI ?

Regards

Alan

I was in blissful ignorance.

How do I get to sleep tonight ! !

A quick Google suggests Google Chrome is deeply affected - I was not planning to use that anyway.

I do use Firefox I see that NPAPI could be used in Plugins.

How can I tell which plugins are safe and free from NPAPI ?

Regards

Alan

NPAPI, or "Netscape Plugin API", is what all non-IE browsers use as their plugin model.

Just like ActiveX, it's compiled native code. The only difference being the fact NPAPI can only be used in a browser (ActiveX controls can be used out of IE)

Firefox sandboxes QuickTime, Silverlight and Flash (I don't think Java is sandboxed yet), but they don't remove their privileges IIRC - the sandbox's purpose is to avoid crashes (*cough* Flash *cough*).

Chrome sandboxes Flash (but only the version that comes with it) aggressively - no write access and no read acces.

IE sandboxes all ActiveX controls, but read access to the whole drive is enabled to avoid breaking compatibility with some older controls.

Other browsers don't do anything at all.

The main problem with ActiveX compared to NPAPI is that IE has a greater marketshare ; also, a website which needs a specific ActiveX control can give the URL to download it and IE will ask the user if he wants to download the control, which might be used to trick the user into downloading a malicious ActiveX (this is less common now that they are sandboxed). Other browsers don't allow this.

Google has been working on "Pepper", a NPAPI evolution, for a while. I doubt it will be used though (backwards compatibility... :( )

NPAPI, or "Netscape Plugin API", is what all non-IE browsers use as their plugin model.

That is the worst possible news to give me as I take a hot milky drink and prepare for bed.

I was hoping that at least LastPass would be safe ! !

Regards

Alan

I never heard of NPAPI till this thread. It's an alternative of Flash used in IE? Feel free to correct me.

That is the worst possible news to give me as I take a hot milky drink and prepare for bed.

I was hoping that at least LastPass would be safe ! !

Regards

Alan

I don't know how LastPass works.

Firefox has add-ons and plugins.

"Add-ons" such as AdBlock Plus, Stylish, GreaseMonkey or themes are done using XUL/CSS/JS, but they can call native code if they want.

"Plugins" such as Flash, QuickTime, Java or Silverlight are done using native code.

@Corona: NPAPI is the plugin model for non-IE browsers. Flash, Silverlight, QuickTime, Java, the Office plugin, are all NPAPI-s

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPAPI

I don't know how LastPass works.

Firefox has add-ons and plugins.

"Add-ons" such as AdBlock Plus, Stylish, GreaseMonkey or themes are done using XUL/CSS/JS, but they can call native code if they want.

"Plugins" such as Flash, QuickTime, Java or Silverlight are done using native code.

@Corona: NPAPI is the plugin model for non-IE browsers. Flash, Silverlight, QuickTime, Java, the Office plugin, are all NPAPI-s

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPAPI

Many thanks for the information and peace of mind.

I have just launched the Firefox Add-on manager and seen things you have "fingered"

Under "Plugins" are listed Flash, SilverLight, and Winzip Courier.

I disabled Winzip Courier and immediately lost everything below the Tabs, even when resizing display.

Closed Firefox and re-launched, then restored last session.

Mostly displayed what it should, and Winzip was now disabled after throwing an almighty tantrum.

Disabled Silverlight and Flash without any further tantrums.

Under the "Add-Ons" are yet another Winzip Courier ! ! !

This also I have now disabled but without trauma - but disable is delayed until I restart Firefox.

Also "Add-Ons" include AdBLock Plus and LastPass,

so it is in good company, and I will sleep tonight.

Regards

Alan

@Corona: NPAPI is the plugin model for non-IE browsers. Flash, Silverlight, QuickTime, Java, the Office plugin, are all NPAPI-s

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPAPI

Oh! Now I understand. The base construct of non-IE browser plug-ins. Thanks! ;)

Most people are still on 10.3.181.14 (eg Filehippo still shows 14) never mind 10.3.181.16, now this warning to update as soon as possible to this...

http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-13.html

They are coming thick and fast now.

New flash is version 10.3.181.26... same version number for all browsers.

And just to add to the jobs to do for you today there is also a new Shockwave player

11.6.0.626

Take note about installing it on a 64 bit system

http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/884/cpsid_88402.html#main_install64bit

They are coming thick and fast now.

New flash is version 10.3.181.26... same version number for all browsers.

They seriously need an auto-update feature (perhaps a standalone app), because it's seriously becoming a pain in the @ss uninstalling then installing new versions, especially when they're released so much sooner now.

Ahhh,Andavari,you are going to like this one then:

Adobe Reader 10.1

Filename: AdbeRdr1010_en_US.exe

File size: 37.86MB (39,697,816 bytes)

Requirements: Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / Windows7 / XP64 / Vista64 / Windows7 64

Languages: en-US

License: Freeware

Date added: June 15, 2011

Does not require a reboot fortunetely.