Thursday, February 26, 2009

Adobe Releases Flash Player 10 Update to Address Security Vulnerabilities

On February 24, 2009 Adobe released a Security advisory called Flash Player update available to address security vulnerabilities that announced the availability of updated Flash Player 10 software. The advisory states in part:

Summary
A potential vulnerability has been identified in Adobe Flash Player 10.0.12.36 and earlier that could allow an attacker who successfully exploits this potential vulnerability to take control of the affected system. A malicious SWF must be loaded in Flash Player by the user for an attacker to exploit this potential vulnerability. Additional vulnerabilities have been addressed in this update. Adobe recommends users update to the most current version of Flash Player available for their platform.

Affected software versions
Adobe Flash Player 10.0.12.36 and earlier.

Severity rating
Adobe categorizes this as a critical update and recommends affected users upgrade to version 10.0.22.87.

Action Required: Ag IT recommends that you update the Adobe Flash Player on your Enterprise machine to mitigate the effects of malicious SWF (Shockwave Flash) files that you might view in your web browser.

  1. To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number, you can visit the About Flash Player page. If this version is Flash Player 10.0.12.36 or earlier, please complete the remaining steps.
  2. To update to current Adobe Flash Player version, go to the Player Download Center.
  3. UN-CHECK any extra toolbars that are offered. Example: Google Toolbar.
  4. Click Agree and install now.
  5. Follow on-screen steps to install.
  6. When the installation completes, you should see the current version of Flash Player (10.0.22.87) displayed on the screen.

    NOTE: If you still see the older version (Example: 10.0.12.36), go to How to uninstall the Adobe Flash Player plug-in and ActiveX control and download the Adobe Flash Player uninstaller. Follow the steps to remove Adobe Flash. Then go back to the Player Download Center and install the new Adobe Flash Player again.

Note: If you use multiple browsers, perform the check for each browser you have installed on your computer.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Trouble Adding Participants to an Adobe Connect Meeting Space?

Have you created an Adobe Connect Meeting space that should be restricted to only certain participants, gone to add someone as a participant, and then not been able to find the participant in the Adobe Connect user list?

If so, it is likely because the user has never previously logged into an Adobe Connect meeting. Until a user logs into an “open” Adobe Connect meeting (one that is not restricted to certain participants) the Adobe Connect server does not realize they exist. It is not until after a user has logged into a meeting space that they are added to the Adobe Connect user list.

To resolve the issue, ask the user to log into http://breeze.psu.edu/opensite, which is a meeting space we have made accessible to anyone who has a Penn State or Friends of Penn State user account. Once the user gets log into the open meeting they can immediately exit out and then you should be able to find them in the Adobe Connect user list and add them to your meeting space.