Adobe issues Flash update to thwart ransomware

NEW YORK—Adobe Systems has issued an emergency security update for the Adobe Flash Player to stymie an attack that could impact Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Linux users. The updates address “critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system,” Adobe says.

The potential attack in question is known as “ransomware,” increasingly sophisticated software that can maliciously encrypt and disable everything on a computer until the owner forks over a ransom to the hackers who unleashed the code. Such ransoms can amount to hundreds of dollars.

Adobe said it was aware of reports that such an attack “is being actively exploited on systems running Windows 10 and earlier with Flash Player version 20.0.0.306 and earlier.” The company urged people to install the latest Flash player as soon as possible.

If you’re running the Chrome browser, Internet Explorer for Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 or the Edge browser on Windows 10, you’ll be updated to the latest version of automatically.

Security threats surrounding Flash are nothing new; Steve Jobs famously went on a rant against Flash way back in 2010. But while the software, which helps run videos and animations on the Internet, may not be as dominant at is once was, Flash is still used by more than 1 billion people.

In general, consumers are advised to run robust security software, install security updates whenever they become available and to be careful before clicking on unsolicited email attachments.

Email: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow USA TODAY Personal Tech Columnist @edbaig on Twitter