Safely Installing Flash Updates

Browser pop-ups alerting you that you need to update Adobe Flash have become common and are an unreliable way to update Flash. Updating via browser pop-ups is not recommended as you will likely install adware in the process. The tell-tale signs of adware installation are changes to your home or search page. If you receive a browser pop-up with an Adobe Flash update, it is recommended that you close the browser tab or the browser.

Installing Adobe Flash Updates on a Windows Machine

Please note that Adobe Flash updates on Windows machines, starting with Windows 8, are handled through the operating system as Windows updates.

Installing Adobe Flash Updates on a Mac OS

Go to:

Screenshot showing the "System Preferences" option on the Apple menu.

Click Adobe Flash Player (located at the bottom left of the “System Preferences” window):

Screenshot showing "Flash Player" displaying in the Apple, System Preferences menu as described.

Next, click the Updates tab.

Screenshot showing the "Updates" tab which is available upon clicking "Flash Player" on the Apple,System Preferences menu. Options on the Updates tab include "Allow Adobe to install updates" or "Notify me to Install Updates" or "Never check for updates". It is recommended that users select either of the the first two options. The dialog also displays plug-in options which are detailed in the following paragraph.

Please note that the NPAPI plug-in is for Safari and the PPAPI plug-in is for Chrome.  It’s okay not to have both installed, but check via the Check Now button for updates on what is installed.

If no updates are available, you will receive the following message:

If an update is available, click Yes, and follow the prompts to download and install, which involve double-clicking and following the prompts from your browser downloads.

For more information, please see:

  • https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2179308
  • https://www.macobserver.com/tips/quick-tip/macos-installing-flash-updates-safe-way/