Last week I accidentally downloaded a fake Flash update.
- Adobe Flash Player For Android
- Adobe Flash Player For Windows 7
- Adobe Flash Player
- Adobe Flash Player For Mac Air
(And yes, I feel 100 years old and completely un-web savvy typing that out.)
Avoid the latest fake Flash Player installer for Mac, it’s nasty malware Wednesday, April 25, 2018 10:58 am 6 Comments “Macs are not immune to malware, but they are pretty well-protected. Fake Flash Player Update Infects Macs with Scareware [Updated] Posted on February 5th, 2016 by Graham Cluley Anyone who has been using computers for any length of time should (hopefully) be aware of the endless ritual of updating Adobe Flash against security vulnerabilities. Researchers found the MacDownloader malware hiding inside a fake Adobe Flash update installer. Run it, and midway through the bogus installation process you'll be alerted to the discovery of some. Fake installers for Adobe Flash Player are particularly favored, and Malwarebytes has found a variant that’s nastier than usual NordVPN Usually, software like Malwarebytes can search for. Fake Adobe Flash Player install spreads malicious programs. Fake Adobe Flash Player install or update pop-up might show up on the screen out of nowhere. While Flash Player is a legit application, cybercriminals often take advantage of it to spread malicious programs.
I was online when I was prompted to download the update. It seemed legit, like one I’d seen — and successfully downloaded — before. So without much thought, I proceeded.
I noticed something was off immediately after restarting my computer. My two browsers suddenly displayed “TimeSearchNow” as the default homepage. After switching them back to Google, I noticed popup ads.
And then, crazy, near-pornographic ads began displaying on the non-pornagraphic (hey, just clarifying) websites I browsed. To add insult to injury, I sent a screenshot of this to my CEO because I thought the issue was with the company website at first.
Image credit: Giphy
It was clear: I had downloaded something funky onto my Mac.
How to Remove a Fake Adobe Flash Update From a Mac
Alternatively titled: So you think you have malware?
Malware, or malicious software, is “any software used to disrupt computer operations,” according to Wikipedia.
Image credit: Wikipedia
To begin the removal process, I cleared my cache and cookies, removed unknown browser extensions and reset my browsers. I also downloaded the latest Apple update.
Next, I downloaded the free version of Malwarebytes. After running the scan a couple times, I removed suspicious files from my computer.
I was pleased with Malwarebytes; unfortunately, it didn’t completely fix the problems with my Mac.
Getting Rid of the Fake Flash
Alternatively titled: An unlikely “solution”
“Solution” is in quotes because I don’t know if this fixed my computer. But, I do know my computer has had no popup or crazy ads in the last 48 hours. It also runs a lot smoother.
![Windows Windows](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126297464/584201421.jpg)
So what did I do?
I made the plea to my company’s computer guy. (Thankfully, he’s more helpful than Nick Burns.)
I’ll walk you through the steps we took:
1. Go to the top right of your screen. Click the wifi icon.
2. Scroll down to Open Network Preferences. Click on it.
Adobe Flash Player For Android
3. This screen will appear. Go to the bottom right and click Advanced…
4. Go to DNS. Scroll down to the plus symbol (+) and add 8.8.8.8. and 8.8.4.4. These are Google’s Public DNSes.
5. Click OK and then Apply.
This process took all of 30 seconds, and my Mac’s been as good as new ever since.
Adobe Flash Player For Windows 7
I can’t explain this *magic* but I thought I’d share my experience. Hopefully it helps someone else! (And note to self: No more downloading updates of any kind except those that come straight from the official website.)
Adobe Flash Player
Did this fix work for you? Let me know in the comments.
Adobe Flash Player For Mac Air
Featured image credit: Picjumbo + Canva