The latest Adobe Flash Player scam and malware you should know about
In the event of updating Adobe Flash Player, scammers and hackers are quick to find a way to trick users to fall into a trap. Basically, they are targeting devices running Android OS and the Flash Player plugin. Thus, you are advised to be aware and keep away from malicious websites, which would prompt you to install or update Flash.
Users are warned of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) with adware-type behavior that would likely infiltrate systems without the permission of the user. Moreover, these PUPs would deliver intrusive online ads and would collect different user/ system information.
If you encounter this trap, you might come into a popup stating Adobe Flash Player Update, which indicates that you need to update because it is out-of-date. This is actually a scam and it is not genuinely from the Adobe website. Take note that the warning in the popup looks very realistic, desperate to trick users to install.
Instead of updating your Adobe Flash Player, it would install additional PUPs. On the contrary, you should never trust these popups or even update your apps with the use of 3rd party tools. This is because it could lead to high-risk infections to your system.
You might have already installed adware on your computer with some deceptive marketing tool called bundling, which stealthily installs PUPs with your regular software. Users tend to rush the download/ installation processes and skip the important steps. As a result, bundled programs that are hidden within the Custom/ Advanced section are accidentally included in your installation. If you skip this portion, you can expose your system of risks and compromise your privacy.
This can be prevented by analyzing every time you download/ install programs and by using the Advanced or Custom settings. Moreover, you must decline any offer to download or install 3rd party software. Most of the time, it encourages users to update allegedly outdated plugins like Adobe Flash Player. If you want to update your version of the plugin, visit the official page at www.adobe.com.