Mozilla is to release an update of its Firefox browser
tomorrow that will check for unpatched versions of Adobe's Flash
Player commonly user by hackers to carry out attacks.
Users of Firefox 3.0 and 3.5 will be able to install the update
to check that the version of Flash Player they are using is
up-to-date and secure.
The update is the first in a series planned for Firefox that
will target vulnerable browser software from Adobe, Apple, Sun and
Microsoft.
Johnathan Nightingale of the Firefox security team said in a
blog posting that old versions of plug-ins can cause crashes
and other stability problems, and can also be a significant
security risk.
"For now, our focus is on the Adobe Flash Player both because of
its popularity and because some studies have shown that as many as
80% of users currently have an out-of-date version," he wrote.
Mozilla plans to work with other plug-in suppliers to provide
similar checks for their products.
"Keeping your software up to date remains one of the best things
you can do to keep yourself safe online," said Nightingale.