Adobe Flash: how to block or delete widely-criticised browser plugin
After a run of problems have been found in the software, and Mozilla has opted to block it by default, many are calling for Flash to be killed entirely
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Computer experts around the world are calling for people to delete and block Adobe Flash, after yet another run of problems have been found in the software. While it’s still necessary to watch some videos online — it could well be worth forgoing them for the sake of keeping your computer safe.
Computer experts including Facebook’s head of security and others have called on Adobe to fix a date to shut down the plugin. Other companies are taking a more direct route — Mozilla, which makes Firefox, has announced that it will be blocking the software by default on future releases.
Even aside from security, Adobe Flash can slow down your computer and cause annoyances when it fails to update.
Stopping the plugin from working in your browser is easy, but how to do it depends slightly on what software and computer you're using.
In Chrome, you can just head to the address chrome://plugins/, which will show a full list. You can disable Flash from there — and it’s worth disabling anything else that you don’t use at the same time, because plugins can slow your computer down.
On Internet Explorer, click manage add-ons and disable Flash from there.
Flash can be deleted on Safari by heading to the Security part of the Preferences menu and blocking it.
Firefox will be disabling Flash by default. But for now, go to the Tools menu, find add-ons, choose Flash and tell it to “never activate”.
The easiest way to delete the software entirely is to use Adobe’s tools. They have separate ones for Mac and Windows.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments