Bits from Bill

Technology thoughts leaking from the brain of "Bill Pytlovany"

Monday, February 11, 2008

Time to Update Adobe Reader

Regular readers know that I don’t always encourage folks to download updates immediately after they’re released. For instance, tomorrow Microsoft will be releasing a new update that fixes a number of issues. Included are 7 critical fixes and 5 important fixes. I usually recommend waiting 7–10 days just to make sure there aren’t unique problems caused by these updates.

Past articles:

I do have an exception this week. Adobe has released a fix for their popular Adobe Reader which is used to render PDF files. In the past, Adobe Reader was a program you’d download as needed but PDF files are now so popular it’s extremely likely the Adobe Reader has already been installed on your system.

A number of malicious PDF files have been seen in the wild and we’ve had reports of infection attempts using a vulnerability in Adobe Reader. You can update your system by downloading the new Adobe Reader at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html


You probably want to uncheck the Photoshop Starter Album

In the grand tradition of companies trying to shove their other products down our throat you’ll see a pre-checked box encouraging you to download the 50 MB Photoshop Album Starter Edition. While this may not be a bad package, I recommend you uncheck the box and concentrate on just updating that Adobe Reader. That way if you do have some kind of problem you’ll know which application introduced the change.


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5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would suggest people use free Foxit reader I havent used Adobe Reader in years.
Ben

3:09 PM  
Blogger Charles Pearmain said...

I'd agree with Ben's suggestion that Foxit PDF reader is a compact, fast, free alternative to the slow and ridiculously bloated Adobe product.

3:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just downloaded and installed Foxit reader 2.0 after deleting my Adobe Reader program. Donload size only a little over 2 mb. ALL of the Adobe PDF files read quickly and normally with this reader.

Any comments on any security concerns? I also run Win Patrol Pro and ESET NOD32 AV as well.
Vernon.... here in Michigan.

4:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

While I was looking through the updated download of adobe reader-
I was using firefox and it offered the PhotoShop Album Starter Edition but it was only 8mb.

Then I went to it on Internet Explorer and instead it offered google toolbar.

3:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Another vote for Foxit PDF reader.

10:17 PM  

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