Apple Releases Flashback Removal Tool And Adobe Flash Disabler For OS X Leopard Users

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Screen Shot 2012-05-15 at 12.07.00 AM
Still on Leopard? Grab these updates from Apple.

While the threat of the Flashback trojan has seemed to largely subside, Apple has released a tool for removing Flashback from older Macs running OS X 10.5 Leopard. A Flashback removal tool was released for Lion and Snow Leopard users a month ago, and now Leopard Macs can get in on the action. Yay for antivirus software!

Apple has also released a Leopard security update that automatically disables outdated versions of Adobe Flash player.

Flashback Removal Security Update (Leopard)

This update removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware. If the Flashback malware is found, a dialog will notify you that malware was removed. In some cases, the update may need to restart your computer in order to completely remove the Flashback malware.

Flashback gets on a Mac by exploiting a vulnerability in Java that Apple has patched. Installing the patch doesn’t mean you haven’t already been infected, so check Software Update to get the latest security goodness from the mothership. You have to be running Mac OS X 10.5.8.

Leopard Security Update 2012-003

This update disables versions of Adobe Flash Player that do not include the latest security updates and provides the option to get the current version from Adobe’s website.

Safari was updated for Lion and Snow Leopard users last week with the same functionality, so join the bandwagon if you’re still on Leopard. Flash is the root of so many different evils; it’s best to keep it at least. You can also find this security update in Software Update on your Leopard Mac.

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