Adobe Reader updates - why so frequent?

[stockhausen]

I get prompted to update Adobe reader about once a week, does anyone have any idea why this is? I have never been able to identify any great leaps forward in functionality. Is it riddled with security flaws?

I get prompted to update the Java RunTime pretty frequently as well but I suspect that is because they hope to slip their Browser Helper (¿ASK?)onto you system while you aren't paying attention.

Just wondered - not that important - I could always delete the relevant background tasks that keep a lookout for updates.

 

[Philtor]

I would ditch it and use Foxit reader instead. There's another one as well which is very good but can't mind the name of it

 

[reflux]

Yes, it's a very widespread tool so it gets hacked quite a lot.

 

[KIA]

Security updates. http://blogs.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs...ox-escape-technique-of-the-recent-pdf-exploit

Use Sumatra. http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/free-pdf-reader.html

 

[Elevon]

I would ditch it and use Foxit reader instead. There's another one as well which is very good but can't mind the name of it

I ditched Foxit reader as well,between Firefox built-in pdf reader and one in Win8 ,no need for either Adobe or Foxit.

 

[Rroff]

The new built in reader in FF works pretty well if you just want to quickly preview PDF files.

 

[Philtor]

Sumatra.

That's the other one I couldn't mind the name of!

 

[theheyes]

I used Chrome for a while as my PDF reader.

Most people don't need the full Adobe Reader and that extended functionality is where all the bugs are. It's crazy they don't offer a lightweight version. Surely that's better than losing people to alternatives (from their point of view)

 

[bledd]

Sumatra <3

Built in PDF readers are great, but sometimes, you just need the PDF file.

Move to Sumatra, it's awesome

 

[stockhausen]

Sumatra . . . it's awesome

Thanks to all; installed Sumatra and it seems to be great, very happy with it.

The only question remaining is whether it will satisfactorily / acceptably allow me to complete and return forms / questionnaires that have been prepared as .PDFs

 

[KIA]

The only question remaining is whether it will satisfactorily / acceptably allow me to complete and return forms / questionnaires that have been prepared as .PDFs

It won't work with interactive PDFs that are designed for Adobe Reader.

 

[ZombieFan]

I get prompted to update the Java RunTime pretty frequently as well but I suspect that is because they hope to slip their Browser Helper (¿ASK?)onto you system while you aren't paying attention

The Java runtime has been plagued with security problems for a good few months now. Oracle have been trying like crazy to fix the security vulnerabilities recently but they keep on appearing which is why there have been so many updates recently. Here's the latest - http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/01/critical-java-vulnerabilies-confirmed-in-latest-version/

Current recomendations are to uninstall Java if you don't need it.