In Snow Leopard, Apple downgraded the installation of Flash to an earlier version (version 10.0.23.1), which is known NOT to be secure and is NOT patched against various security vulnerabilities.
You should update to the latest version immediately: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
This is a simple update:
- Download the latest flash version
- Close your browsers
- Run flash installer
- Your are done!
The latest Conficker virus variant will begin checking for a payload to download on April 1, 2009. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your computer is safe against this and other viruses:
- Patch the specific Conficker vulnerability in Windows
- Update your operating system
- Make sure your virus scanner definitions are up to date
- Make sure your virus scanner subscription is paid for and up to date
- Install a free virus scanner
- Scan your installed software for vulnerabilities
Symptoms of infection:
- Account lockout policies being reset automatically.
- Certain Microsoft Windows services such as Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Windows Defender and Error Reporting Services disabled.
- Domain controllers responding slowly to client requests.
- Congestion on local area networks.
- Web sites related to antivirus software becoming inaccessible.
Quick tests to see if you are infected: