--- description: The update addresses an active security vulnerability that allows hackers to remotely take over your computer without your knowledge. title: Adobe Releases Critical Security Update for Flash Player image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) ## Tech Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Adobe Releases Critical Security Update for Flash Player by [Techlicious](/author/techlicious/) ## Techlicious Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 29, 2014 3:35 PM CUT by [Techlicious](/author/techlicious/) ## Techlicious Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 29, 2014 3:35 PM CUT Software maker Adobe has released an emergency security fix for its Flash Player, addressing an active security vulnerability that allows hackers to remotely take over your computer without your knowledge. This vulnerability, named CVE-2014-0515, has the potential to affect Windows, Mac OS X and Linux computers, though so far, only attacks on Windows computers have been detected. The bug allows for remote code execution, potentially giving hackers wide-reaching access into any computer actively running Flash. To fix the security hole, you simply need to update to the most recent version of Adobe Flash Player. You can do so by [visiting the Adobe Download Center](http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ "undefined"). This threat is unrelated to a recently discovered vulnerability in multiple versions of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. That exploit also involves remote code execution through Flash, though [as reported by Naked Security](http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2014/04/29/not-to-be-outdone-by-microsoft-adobe-announces-zero-day-exploit-patch-for-flash/ "undefined"), the actual vulnerability there is in the IE browser itself. Applying Adobe’s patch for CVE-2014-0515 will not provide protection against the IE exploit. To help protect against future security threats, make sure you [keep your software up to date](http://www.techlicious.com/tip/why-you-should-update-software-when-prompted/ "undefined"). _This article was written by Fox Van Allen and_ [_originally appeared on Techlicious_](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/adobe-flash-player-exploit-cve-2014-0515/ "undefined")_._ **More from Techlicious:** * [Skype Makes Group Video Chat Free](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/skype-free-group-chat/ "undefined") * [Speck CandyShell AMPED iPhone Case Boosts Volume](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/speck-candyshell-amped-sound-amplifying-iphone-case/ "undefined") * [U.S. Gov Warns About Dangerous Internet Explorer Security Hole](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/internet-explorer-operation-clandestine-fox/ "undefined") * [The Best Multifunction Printer Under $200](http://www.techlicious.com/review/best-multi-function-printer-under-200/ "undefined") * [NASA-Designed ‘Space Kit’ Toy for Teens](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/littlebits-space-kit-nasa-modules/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/81061/adobe-releases-critical-security-update-for-flash-player/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/81061/adobe-releases-critical-security-update-for-flash-player/"},"headline":"Adobe Releases Critical Security Update for Flash Player","datePublished":"2014-04-29T15:35:43.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:02:06.678Z","description":"The update addresses an active security vulnerability that allows hackers to remotely take over your computer without your knowledge.","url":"https://time.com/81061/adobe-releases-critical-security-update-for-flash-player/","keywords":["Tech","Hacking","Security","hacks"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Techlicious","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/techlicious/"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-tech/","name":"Tech"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/81061/adobe-releases-critical-security-update-for-flash-player/","name":"Adobe Releases Critical Security Update for Flash Player"}}]}] ```