An FYI
Both Flash and QuickTime had critical updates this week. Both products had vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution. I believe Mac is affected too by both critical vulnerabilities as well.
An easy way to check your system for both is to run either the Secunia Software Inspector or the FileHippo Update Checker. Both will scan your system for installed software and flag both QuickTime and Flash as needing to be updated and provide links for the updates. The Secunia Software Inspector includes links to security advisories, the FileHippo Update Checker does not.
This is a little off topic but I’m going to gripe about Apple’s consumer-unfriendly approach.
In March I paid for and downloaded Quicktime Pro because I needed to convert a couple of MOV files to AVI since MovieMaker won’t recognize the former. I think I paid about $30. A few days ago I got a popup asking me to upgrade to a newer version. My Pro version was overwritten with the free version that won’t convert files. I still have the registration key for the Pro version but Apple won’t let me download it again unless I pay a second time!
I called Apple sales and a nice CSR empathized but wasn’t able to help me. I contacted the administrator of an Apple forum who said she didn’t know a solution. I tried to email Apple but their system requires that I log in (after I had already logged in) and they said my login failed.
Apple has come out with some terrific products over the years and can always be counted on for wonderful new innovations but their post-sale customer service leaves a LOT to be desired.
I have subsequently found a free online video conversion service at http://media-convert.com that could have saved me the $30.
While you’re updating your flash, it may be a good idea to get Flashblock (for you Firefox users). It prevents the loading of flash in your browser without your consent, very useful if you want to keep your sanity but still watch youtube videos.
IE7Pro is an addon for IE 6&7 that adds Flash blocking, ad blocking, inline search, spell check, and other nifty features to IE. Everyone running IE should install it. It’s the must have addon for IE.
Thanks for the heads-up. I’ve never paid the $30 upgrade that QuickTime is famous for reminding us all about. Though your situation is probably an anomaly and not the norm, the fact that Apple didn’t have a fix for you is a little disturbing.