Adobe JavaScript Vulnerability: Dangerous But Easy to Avoid

1. The sky is not falling. 

2. The Adobe Reader that just about everybody uses -- Mac and Windows -- to open and read PDF files has a security vulnerability that seems to affect all versions. Adobe has not announced a fix for the problem yet, and the problem seems to be dangerous enough that I thought I should let you know.

This vulnerability allows a multi-level attack on your computer and your personal data. Malware that uses it has been found "in the wild". Fortunately it is easy to avoid.

Just turn off the JavaScript support in your Adobe Reader.

1. Start the Adobe Reader. Find it on your desktop or in your list of Programs (Windows) or Applications (Macs).

2. Go to the "Edit" menu and click "Preferences".

3. Find and click "JavaScript" in the list of categories on the left.

4. Uncheck the box labled "Enable Acrobat Javascript", then click "OK".

5. Close the Adobe Reader. All done.

This is just for the genuine Adobe Reader. If you use an alternate to that, like the "Preview" program that comes with OS-X on Macintosh computers, then you don't need to do this.