Comments on: Another Adobe Reader security hole emerges

A zero-day vulnerability in Adobe Reader prompts security experts to recommend switching off JavaScript in the PDF reader.

[Angmarr]

Another reason why people need to make the switch to Foxit!!

[n3td3v]

There are tons of vulnerabilities each day, but why do the media target Adobe Reader?

[unknown unknown]

How are they targeting Adobe by reporting flaws in widely used software?

[gefitz]

n3td3v: "There are tons of vulnerabilities each day, but why do the media target Adobe Reader?"

Answer: (and forgive me for quoting from the article itself)
"Of the targeted attacks so far this year, more than 47 percent of them exploit holes in Acrobat Reader, while six vulnerabilities have been discovered that target the program, he said."

That reason enough?

[Ilgaz]

Adobe reader and PDF isn't the same thing they used to be just 5 years ago. Whole web and client machines are full of PDF files.
I remember attaching instructions for getting Adobe Reader or even including it (with license) on CD/DVDs just 5 years ago. Now? I don't bother at all, everyone has it.
Adobe Reader is reaching Macromedia (Adobe) Flash levels in terms of install base. That is why a zero day in it is huge.
Oh if CNET is making it news because MS document format turned out to be a joke for adoption, well... Their loss :)
Serious though, Adobe Reader "zero day" must be watched and Adobe should be pushed to fix it, sooner this time!

[FutureGuy]

Don't worry Linux can't be hacked
/s

[Dalkorian]

Technophobes shouldn't be commenting on computer program security issues. It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder if you're a fool than it is to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

[grecs]

Scripting just needs to be off by default with a whitelist of known good sites. Users can then customize the whitelist to their own needs ... sort of like NoScript ... except I don't think NoScript works for Adobe products.

[Hep Cat]

Another chapter in the sad, sorrowful tragedy that is Reader 3.0 and above.

[guest86]

Hold on. What version been affect to Windows? I have old Adobe Reader program for backup files only because company keep change many times. I did not understand why some version got problems? What look like? Messy from Infect by virus? Spyware? Malware? other?

[Ilgaz]

I have several PDFs and PDF is my usual day to day file, I even pay for my newspaper to get their original PDFs.
In the first zero day, I disabled Javascript and I haven't yet seen a single PDF file requiring javascript. Perhaps Adobe reader should come with Javascript OFF by default and seriously alert/warn user and ask whether it should be enabled when a document needs it? I understand corporates may use it, why not harness the "document signing" and make it remember for single company?

[TheReaperD]

Because people are basically lazy and will do the minimum possible needed to create or use anything.

[Angmarr]

@ TheReaperD

so tru ...LOL

[jasmred]

I went immediately and turned javascript off as I read this article. Then after reading your comment I went and opened the first PDF document which I needed to work on and lo and behold it requires javascript! I suspect javascript in PDF will become much more widely required as people actually need to DO things with PDF docs (other than just read them :-). I also suspect that most other PDF readers won't work with this document (not that I have the time or inclination to try them). All software has bugs - it's just a matter of time for them to become a problem. It's nice to know that MS doesn't have a monopoly on them as some would have us believe.