Do I need Macromedia Flash Player?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Walter R.
  • Start date Start date
W

Walter R.

Using Win XP SP2. Many of the ads delivered to my browser involve Macromedia
Flash Player.

I would like to get rid of these flashing and galloping ads.

If I remove the Flash Player in Add/Remove, will the removal affect other
important and desirable web browsing functions?
 
Walter R. said:
Using Win XP SP2. Many of the ads delivered to my browser involve Macromedia Flash
Player.

I would like to get rid of these flashing and galloping ads.

If I remove the Flash Player in Add/Remove, will the removal affect other
important and desirable web browsing functions?
Click to expand...

While you may remove Macromedia via Add/Remove Programs you can disable
them using Spyware Blaster, which has this tool as an added feature called
'Flash Killer'.

You may obtain a copy at one of the mirror links here;
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
Once installed > open Spyware Blaster, go to > Tools > Flash Killer >
Check > "disable and block Macromedia Flash in IE".

Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security, AH-VSOP
_________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

Reply to group, as return address
is invalid that we may all benefit.
 
Thank you

What is the disadvantage of turning off Macromedia Flash? Will it negatively
affect the operation of my IE6 browser in accessing web sides?

What is this thing used for? Why did I install it? What are people missing
who do not install it?

Thanks again

Walter
www.rationality.net
-
 
I do not know all the sites that will have problems but my granddaughter was
very upset when SpywareBlaster prevented the "Harry Potter" site from
working. When I unchecked the Flash Killer in SpywareBlaster, it worked and
she was a happy granddaughter again.

David
 
Silj,I have to say Thank You also,I downloaded and installed the program you
mentioned (spyware blaster) and this eliminated the annoying prompts I was
getting to install Micromedia,after I deleted it from the Control Panel.
Spyware Blaster seems to work like a charm! :-)
It does not look to me that there is any adverse effects accessing
websites,on the contrary,they seem to open faster.
Regards

Alberto
 
Walter R. said:
Thank you
Click to expand...

Your most welcome.
What is the disadvantage of turning off Macromedia Flash? Will it negatively
affect the operation of my IE6 browser in accessing web sides?
Click to expand...

Only that you will not be able to view Flash and yes it may hinder some sites from
loading since a Flash-enabled site will be attempting to load the Flash content as
well.
What is this thing used for?
Click to expand...
"Rich" Media content.
Why did I install it? What are people missing who do not install it?
Click to expand...

You were likely promted to and consented to the installation prompt.

Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security, AH-VSOP
_________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

Reply to group, as return address
is invalid that we may all benefit.
 
Walter R. said:
What is the disadvantage of turning off Macromedia Flash? Will it
negatively affect the operation of my IE6 browser in accessing web sides?

What is this thing used for? Why did I install it? What are people missing
who do not install it?
Click to expand...


Any site that hides its content inside of Flash stream data will be
unviewable by you if you disable Macromedia's ActiveX FlashPlayer control.
Many sites use Flash to hide their content and make it more adaptive and
programmable. It also prevents hackers from simply crawling their web site
to steal its content. A site *should* detect if you have the Flash AX
control enabled or not; if not, they should present an alternative web page
but it will probably have severely reduced functionality or usability.

If you want to kill ActiveX for sites visited while in the Internet security
zone, customize that security zone to disable AX controls. Then put the
trusted site in the Trusted Sites security zone where AX is still enabled.
However, any content at that site that comes from a different domain will
still have its AX content blocked (since that other site isn't in the
Trusted Sites whitelist).

Other than complaints regarding AX in general, I don't see a problem with
using Macromedia's FlashPlayer AX control. There was some concern over the
misuse of its cache. You should have it configured to NOT allow content
from 3rd party domains and set its cache size to zero (to the supercookie
threat is voided). See http://snipurl.com/le62, http://snipurl.com/le6e,
and http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/.
 
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