[RESOLVED] Adobe and Macromedia Flash Players… which, or both?

[broadley]

I like to keep my PC secure and updated with the latest patches and versions. I use the secunia.com website Software Inspector to do this to advise me which software needs attention. It works well… generally.

My problem is that Software Inspector tells me that I have Adobe Flash Player 9.0.47.0 installed (which it says is up to date), and also Macromedia Flash Player 6.0.84.0, which it says needs updating to 6.0.88.0 or 9.0.28.0.

When I click on the link to update the Macromedia Flash Player I’m taken to the Adobe site which offers the Adobe Flash Player 9.0.47.0. I assume that Adobe must have taken Macromedia over.

My question is, do I need both the Adobe and the Macromedia players? If not, how do I get rid of Macromedia Flash Player, as it doesn’t show up in Add/Remove Programs? Also if Adobe has taken Macromedia over why is the Macromedia player still being updated?

If I’ve given the impression that I’m confused… well, I am! Can anyone explain what’s going on and what I need to do?

Many thanks

[SpywareDr]

How to uninstall the Adobe Flash Player plug-in and ActiveX control
http://www.adobe.com/go/tn_14157

Note: This program uninstalls every version of Adobe/Macromedia Flash Player on your system.

Download the latest version of Adobe Flash
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/downl...h&promoid=BIOW

Adobe Systems acquired Macromedia in a merger that was finalized in December 2005
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Flash

[HAN]

9.0.47.0 is indeed the latest and only version you should have onboard. Earlier versions may have negative security issues.

It is possible to have 2 copies though (I do.) One for Internet Explorer and one for other browsers (Firefox and Opera.) Each copy requires a separate installation...

[broadley]

Thanks for the info re the merger of Adobe/Macromedia. That makes some sense of it but my question still remains; do I need both players? Your answer seems to suggest that I don't. And if both aren't needed why does Adobe still offer updates for the Macromedia player (even if I can't find it on their website... although I suppose it's probably there somewhere)?
Another question that comes to mind is why can't I find the Macromedia player in the Add/Remove Programs listing?

[broadley]

Thanks, Han. Sorry, I didn't see your post, which answers a bit more for me, while I was writing mine.
So, I need to uninstall the macromedia player. Can you answer my questions as to why Adobe still updates the Macromedia player & why I can't find it on Add/Remove programs (this will just help to satisfy my need to tie up all the loose ends.. sorry, I have a tidy mind!)

[SpywareDr]

Macromedia and Adobe are one and the same. If you try to go to:

http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/

you'll actually end up on:

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

See the following page for a brief on the multiple vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash CS3, Adobe Flash Player 9.x, Adobe Flex 2.x, Macromedia Flash 8.x, Macromedia Flash Player 7.x and Macromedia Flash Player 8.x.

http://secunia.com/advisories/26027/

The latest version of the Flash Player (Adobe/Macromedia) is 9.0.47.0:

http://www.adobe.com/go/getflash

[broadley]

Thanks. I uninstalled Macromedia Flash Player manually as the Adobe uninstaller didn't do it. This solves my problem. Your help has been appreciated.
Thanks

[SpywareDr]

You're welcome. Thanks for posting back with the solution.

[Welshjim]

There still is a Macromedia Shockwave player and you download it here
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?
However, Adobe loves to confuse people. Here is the test site to determine if you have Flash and Shockwave Players installed, and you can see that Adobe sometimes calls them both Macromedia and sometimes Adobe!
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/

[HAN]

FWIW... you need to have scripting activated for the Flash and Shockwave tests to run. (I normally surf with it turned off.)

One more FWIW...
I gave up on loading Flash from Adobe's site a long time ago. I get mine from filehippo.com. I can get both the IE and Other Browser versions as downloadable files and don't need to try to make Adobe's interactive method work (it would fail for me about half the time!)

[Welshjim]

HAN--I think ActiveX controls also have to be allowed to run on those sites to download, test and view Flash content.

[SpywareDr]

Adobe's Macromedia Flash and Adobe's Macromedia Shockwave are two different animals.

Adobe's Macromedia Flash Player plays Flash content.

Adobe's Macromedia Shockwave Player displays Web content created by Adobe's Macromedia Director.



Here's a quick comparison chart
http://www.adobe.com/products/direct...omparison.html