Beware of Fake Flash Downloads! It Has Malware

Fake Flash downloads are downloading and installing rogues and malicious files over the internet.

Have you heard about new malicious files or programs being spread through Flash downloads? It is apparent that hackers are taking advantage of this new trick because it is working effectively. Fake Flash downloads are now spread rouge anti-spyware programs, Trojan infections and other parasites onto computers connected to the internet all over the world. Computer users should mainly be aware of downloading a Flash file or Flash update from social sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

Hackers are using a typical “hook and real” situation when it comes to getting computer users to download fake Flash files. This may be done by linking a computer user to an infected social network page that offers a viewing of a video. In order to view the video a user is prompted with a notification that they must upgrade or download a new Flash Player. Little do most computer know, the Flash Player file that is downloaded through this procedure, once executed, downloads a Trojan infection that has the ability to download and install rogue anti-spyware programs.

How to avoid fake Flash downloads

This may be a big surprise because it is such a simple solution to avoid getting infected by a fake Flash download. If you choose to avoid downloading Flash files from all sources other than Adobe.com, then you can greatly reduce the chance, if not eliminate the chance, of getting infected from a Flash player download. Adboe.com has stated on their website for all users to only download Flash files or updates from Adobe.com. If that simple task is followed then you should not have much to worry about. One of the hard parts will be when you are redirected to a malicious page and you are asked to download a new Flash Player in order to view a video.

Below is what Adobe.com wrote on this situation

“First off, do not download Flash Player from a site other than adobe.com – you can find the link for downloading Flash Player here. This goes for any piece of software (Reader, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, etc.) – if you get a notice to update, it’s not a bad idea to go directly to the site of the software vendor and download the update directly from the source. If the download is from an unfamiliar URL or an IP address, you should be suspicious.

Second, all Adobe software for Windows is signed with a digital certificate that is validated by Windows when you install our software. The Publisher will always be ‘Adobe Systems, Incorporated’, and you can verify this when you double-click the installer, or by right-clicking on the installer, selecting ‘Properties’, and going to the ‘Digital Signatures’ tab.”

Our advice

Resist the urge, do not download Flash Player or Flash files from any site other than Adobe.com. It is that simple!