Adobe Reader is driving me NUTS!

[steve_83]

I have spent the better part of my recreation time trying to FIX this %^&((($## active threat. rated Very Dangerous that Kaspersky Internet Security keeps picking up.

On virus list it is here.... Abobe reader/Acrobat SWF Content Arbitrary Code Execution

The solution is to get version 9.1.3, but I ALREADY HAVE THAT!

Right now, I'm just fed up with Adobe Reader and am looking for some pdf replacement.
It seems to me that I need to get RID of all Adobe c*** and use something else.

Any suggestions, much appreciated.

Moderators. I put this in the Security Forum because for me, it IS.
Feel free to move it over to the General Software forum if you think that's where it belongs.

Yep...I did a search first, but the posts are months old.

Adobe has no suggestions that I can find.

HELP!....Puhlease?

Steve_83

[Midknyte]

Right now, I'm just fed up with Adobe Reader and am looking for some pdf replacement.

I rarely use Acrobat, if ever. It's way too bloated.
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/
http://www.docu-track.com/home/prod_...ls/pdfx_viewer
http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/...pdf/index.html

[Welshjim]

steve_83--See the bottom paragraph on Page 1 here http://www.pcreview.co.uk/reviews/So...Security_2009/
This suggests you can also turn off the scanning procedure that leads to the messages.

[jdc2000]

Actually, at this moment, I am looking for a place to download the installer for Adobe Reader 9.1.3 (no Air or other unwanted junk). Adobe alternatives are not an option for the PC I want to install it on, and the PC does not have Internet access, so I need a stand-alone installer.

Update:

The link below has the info I needed.

http://forums.adobe.com/message/2152...55383A72.node0

[Broni]

I rarely use Acrobat, if ever. It's way too bloated.

Seconded. It sucks.

[HAN]

Specifically, the Adobe Reader 9.1.3 patch is at ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader....x/9.1.3/misc/

Midknyte listed the best Adobe replacement, free PDF-XChange Viewer (the 2nd link.) IMO, it the best PDF reader one can use at the moment. No stinking toolbar like Foxit and you can type on PDFs (and save your typing!)

[Midknyte]

PDF-X has a lot of features, so I had to trim down the menu bar. Otherwise, it's pretty good.

Foxit 2.0 was neater, but I didn't care for Foxit 3.0.

Both offer portable versions.

Sumatra is really small and light if you want something spartan.

[steve_83]

Thanks much for all the replies everyone!

Now I am in the kind of the same pickle I have been in before.....too many choices.

Why can't we be like the US propagandists had us believe the Soviet Union was like in the Cold War...where everyone wears khaki?


I ran across this, more that likely here:
http://pdfreaders.org/

Why...I don't know, but most all of my financial funds, etc send emails explaining why my 401K is now a 101K with pdf files.

I honestly do not understand what the use is , but I have to have something.

Thanks for the patch info, but since (not if) adobe can't come up with a solution, and it appears they can't, why bother with adobe?

I'm gonna wipe that piece of software off here and go with something else.
Yep, adobe is bloated to the extreme.

Let me research the replies and maybe I'll remember to post back which one I chose.

Thanks again for the usual VDR: Maximum Kick A** Response!


Steve_83

[steve_83]

Thanks WelshJim!

I'm soooooooooo buried in debt to you, I'll never dig my way out.



Steve_83

[steve_83]

It wasn't my intention to end this discussion.

There were some very high powered members that were posting things that were of significant usefulness.
Not just for me....but for other members and the sake of future searches.

Keep at it guys.

I don't recall marking this thread [Resolved].

Anyway (as usual) I embellish.
I'm good at that.


I ended up going with PDF-XChange Viewer Version 2.0 (Build 42.2).

Why the older version you might ask?

Simply because it was rated higher on cnet.
More stars.

In the end, the threat is gone from Kaspersky scans.

That's the good news.

The bad news is either:
My lack of knowledge about the program.
It just works that way.

My primary complaint is that when you open a pdf file it doesn't just...open it, it downloads it.

Since I have a Cr**py AT&T DSL connection, that takes some time, and I can't help but think it is taking up some HD space.

That's using Mozilla.
Haven't tried IE, just because I can't stand that piece of browser.

When I was using adobe when you ran across a pdf file, it just opened it...viola', done.

I need to find a better program, or update the version.

This "download" every pdf file is not right, I don't think.


Let's keep this going if everyone who contributed wants to, and any suggestions on what I did (vs) a better solution are much appreciated as usual.

Once again..It wasn't my intention to end this discussion.

Before I sign off.....I used a new program (for me) called Revo Uninstaller.

WoW!

I can't believe all the leftovers that adobe and probably many other programs leave behind when you only use the Control Panel to remove things.
Particularly in the registry.

I was......stunned.

Another great tool to add to your arsenal, at 3.42 KBs.

Steve_83

[HAN]

Touching on a few things that may be helpful...

First, PDF-XChange 2.0.42.2 is the latest version. http://www.docu-track.com/downloads/users/

Second, from a security standpoint, opening a PDF inside the browser is riskier than on it's own from the hard drive. Browsers are THE most exploited pieces of software around. Anything one can do to isolate the browser from other programs is a better, safer way to go.

Third, if you are adamant about displaying PDFs in your browser, open PDF-XChange and go to Edit|Preferences|File Associations. There you should see a box that will allow you to Display PDF in Browser. Checking that box should do the trick. If it doesn't, uninstall PDF-XChange, reboot and re-install it. Then during the re-install, make sure that the browser plugins are checked everywhere they are listed in the installation screens. Once it's installed, check the Edit|Preferences|File Associations section again and make sure the Display PDF in Browser is checked (it definitely should be this time.)

Hope this helps!

[steve_83]

I've been a slacker on replying to this fellow members.

PDF-XChange did fix my adobe issues.....and as far as I'm concerned, I'm not ever going back for a pdf reader.


I even sent my financial planner who does one Kick A** job (of turning my 401K into a 101K) an email reply with that secunia warning about adobe, which today says:

A mistake in the Secunia PSI? Perhaps, but we are happy to learn that the Secunia PSI is correct, but surprised to discover that Adobe ships insecure software to their users!

The installation of Adobe Reader usually happens like this:

1) The user receives a PDF file (usually considered a "safe" file format), only to discover that there is no PDF reader on the PC.
2) The user visits Adobe.com to download the latest version of Adobe Reader from the official download site. When the installation is complete, the user has version 9.1.0 installed – both as a stand-alone program and as a browser plugin - which is known to be affected by numerous code execution vulnerabilities.
3) If the user opens a malicious PDF, the damage is done and the system could easily be compromised!

I never got a response, but his semi-weekly spam does not have pdf versions since then.



I honestly can't believe that a Company has security holes like adobe, but no solution.
And I'm not checking to see if they do.

Before I exit I'd like to add this:

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is the nice-est package I have ever witnessed.....period.
If you're in that market & $hopping, you'd be amiss for not checking that package out.

Why they don't show all the features on their site kinda baffles me.
The upgrade from version 2009 is a piece of cake & version 2010 is simply......stunning.

Thanks for the many replies!

Steve_83