Updates 8/8/17 - Microsoft+Adobe+Firefox Tuesday, MVPS HOSTS

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [ August 07-2017]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

Note: Windows 10 users ... the HOSTS file installs with no issues ...
Download: hosts.zip (129 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip

How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm

HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm

Note: the "text" version (487 kb) makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt

Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updated
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm

 

Direct downloads (no bundled junk) for  Windows 7 and earlier :emotion-30: (  Revised installer links located toward bottom of:   https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/installation-problems-flash-player-windows.html )

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Internet Explorer -  
https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/latest/help/install_flash_player_ax.exe 

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Plugin-based browsers (Firefox etc) -

https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/latest/help/install_flash_player.exe  

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PPAPI/Pepper-Chromium based-
https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/latest/help/install_flash_player_ppapi.exe 

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Uninstaller (if needed) :  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe 

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Documentation:  https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb17-23.html 

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https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/release-note/fp_26_air_26_release_notes.html

 

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Today's release brings innovative functionality, improvements to core browser performance, and more proof that we’re committed to making Firefox better than ever. New features include support for WebVR, making Firefox the first Windows desktop browser to support VR experiences. Performance changes include significantly faster startup times when restoring lots of tabs and settings that let users take greater control of our new multi-process architecture. We’ve also upgraded the address bar to make finding what you want easier, with search suggestions and the integration of our one-click search feature, and safer, by prioritizing the secure - https - version of sites when possible. Read what Nick Nguyen (VP, Firefox Product) has to say about Firefox 55, get historical perspective on the development of WebVR from Sean White (SVP, Emerging Technologies) in this Medium post, and read about all the new features for developers in Firefox 55 on Mozilla Hacks.

New

• Launched Windows support for WebVR, bringing immersive experiences to the web. See examples and try working demos at Mozilla VR.

• Added options that let users optimize recent performance improvements

  • Setting to enable Hardware VP9 acceleration on Windows 10 Anniversary Edition for better battery life and lower CPU usage while watching videos
  • Setting to modify the number of concurrent content processes for faster page loading and more responsive tab switching

• Simplified installation process with a streamlined Windows stub installer

  • Firefox for Windows 64-bit is now installed by default, when using the online STUB installer, on 64-bit systems with at least 2GB of RAM
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  • Full installers with advanced installation options are still available

• Improved address bar functionality

  • Search with any installed one-click search engine directly from the address bar
  • Search suggestions appear by default
  • When entering a hostname (like pinterest.com) in the URL bar, Firefox resolves to the secure version of the site (https://www.pinterest.com) instead of the insecure version (http://www.pinterest.com) when possible

• Updated Sidebar for bookmarks, history, and synced tabs so it can appear at the right edge of the window as well as the left

• Added support for stereo microphones with WebRTC

• Simplified printing from Reader Mode

• Updated Firefox for OSX and macOS to allow users to assign custom keyboard shortcuts to Firefox menu items via System Preferences

• Browsing sessions with a high number of tabs are now restored in an instant

• Make screenshots of webpages, and save them locally or upload them to the cloud. This feature will undergo A/B testing and will not be visible for some users.

• Added Belarusian (be) locale

Changed

• Modernized application update UI to be less intrusive and more aligned with the rest of the browser. Only users who have not restarted their browser 8 days after downloading an update or users who opted out of automatic updates will see this change.

• Firefox does not support downgrades, even though this may have worked in past versions. Users who install Firefox 55+ and later downgrade to an earlier version may experience issues with Firefox.

• Made the Adobe Flash plugin click-to-activate by default and allowed only on http:// and https:// URL schemes. (This change will not be visible to all users immediately. For more information see the Firefox plugin roadmap)

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Available via internal updater, Help / About Firefox

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REMARK:   The online STUB installer is updating to the 64-bit version of FF, for users who have 64-bit systems, with at least 2 GB RAM.

FULL installers are available, with advanced options.

The internal updater is retaining 32-bit this time (FF55), but should switch to 64 bit next time (FF56), for users who have 64-bit systems, with at least 2 GB RAM.

WARNING:  The link for this separate download of the MSRT is now pre-checking a box to also download "MSN default homepage & Bing default search engine".    Be sure to uncheck this, unless you really want it!

 

Malicious  Software  Removal  Tool (MSRT, MRT) for August, version 5. 51

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/malicious-software-removal-tool-details.aspx 

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Reminder:   Users who are paranoid about the remote possibility of a FP can opt to run this tool from a Command Prompt, appending a    /N   parameter [for "detect only" mode].