Yesterday, Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) upgraded Flash Player for security reasons. Today, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) updated it’s “Xprotect” anti-malware system. Apple’s upgrade will disable older versions and require users upgrade to the latest version of Flash.
Apple’s history in malware protection
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s Xprotect system was initially launched for OS X Snow Leopard back in 2009, it was part of the basic anti-malware program which was designed to halt in the rare case of malware from installing. The company upgraded the program in 2011 to ensure all Mac computers would check for updated definitions every 24-hours for the most current protection.
Although the program was initially designed to target malware programs, it also allows Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to enforce minimum versions of the latest plug-ins for Flash and Java. There have also been occasions where Apple blocked older versions of the plug-ins which forced users to upgrade.
A closer look at Adobe’s latest upgrade
eWeek’s Sean Michael Kerner elaborated more on yesterday’s Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) upgrade: “Adobe warned in its advisory that the vulnerability is being exploited in the wild. According to the advisory, the vulnerability could potentially enable an attacker to take control of a system that is at risk. The vulnerability has been formally identified as CVE-2014-0497 and is an integer underflow vulnerability that could enable arbitrary code execution. Adobe credits researchers Alexander Polyakov and Anton Ivanov from Kaspersky Labs for helping report the issue. Systems that are at risk include Windows and Mac OS X users running Flash Player 12.0.0.42 and earlier. Linux users running Flash Player 11.2.2.202.335 and earlier are also at risk and need to update.”
Although Mac computers and other Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) mobile products don’t really get a lot of malware attacks, it’s still necessary for Apple to take extra steps to prevent possible attacks. The company’s latest move shows us its commitment to safety.
