Adobe is committed to the security of the Adobe® Flash® Player runtime and takes consumers' privacy seriously. This section provides information about Flash Player features that may be important for privacy and security discussions.
General resources
Use these resources to learn more about how Flash Player protects your privacy and how to use the privacy controls.
Private browsing in Flash Player
Adobe Flash Player supports the private browsing mode founds in many web browsers. Private browsing lets you browse the web without storing any history on your computer. Beginning with Flash Player 10.1, Flash Player integrates with your web browser to automatically clear stored data in accordance with your browser's private browsing settings. Learn more
How to set privacy protection
Learn how to use the Flash Player Settings Manager to choose a comfortable level of privacy protection as you browse the web:
- How do I use the Local Settings Manager?
- How do I prevent third parties from using Flash to track me across websites?
- How do I manage and disable local shared objects ("Flash cookies")?
- How do I let local rich media content communicate with the Internet?
More privacy information
Learn more about these Flash Player features and how Flash Player protects your privacy:
- What are local shared objects?
- How does Flash Player security for local content work?
- Your privacy and Adobe Flash Player
Other resources
Your privacy and security are a critical component of great web experiences and a key component of Flash Player technology:
Resources for developers
Private browsing in Flash Player
Adobe Flash Player supports the private browsing mode found in many web browsers. Private browsing lets you browse the web without storing any history on your computer. Beginning with Flash Player 10.1, Flash Player integrates with your web browser to automatically clear stored data in accordance with your browser's private browsing settings. Learn more
Local Settings Manager (new in Flash Player 10.3 desktop only)
With streamlined controls, Flash Player 10.3 provides users with an easier way to manage their Flash Player privacy, security, and storage settings. Users can access the Flash Player Settings Manager directly from the Control Panels or System Preferences on Windows®, Mac, and Linux® computers. The changes in Flash Player 10.3 may impact developers using the local storage. Learn more
Flash Player security model
The Flash Player security model is built on an industry-proven, domain-based system of security for protecting sensitive data in networked environments. Improvements in Flash Player 8 added stringent controls for applications and content executing in the local environment. Download the following white papers for an in-depth perspective of Flash Player security.
Flash Player 10
- Security white paper (clients) (PDF, 584k)
- Understanding security changes
- Working with policy file changes in Flash Player 9 and Flash Player 10
Developing for security
The first step to finding security information for ActionScript® developers is reading the Flash Player Security chapter of "Programming ActionScript 3.0 for Flash."
Developers should stay current with the latest changes in the Flash Player security model to help ensure their content and applications take advantage of the latest safeguards available. The Flash Player Developer Center provides resources for working with security model enhancements:
Presentation: Flash Security: Why and How
- Download the presentation (PDF, 421K)
- Review the slides from Deneb Meketa's security presentation on Flash Player cross-domain security at MAX 2007 in Chicago:
Other resources
Your privacy and security are a critical component of great web experiences and a key component of Flash Player technology.
Privacy policy
Adobe is committed to the Privacy of our customers. Adobe Flash Player never has or will collect any personally identifiable information about anyone who has installed the software on their computers. As part of this commitment Adobe discloses our information practices and have our privacy practices reviewed for compliance by TRUSTe.
Adware, Spyware and Malware
Flash Player is software which enhances web content and application experiences through multimedia and interactivity. Websites create content, viewable with Flash Player, which is richer and more interactive than static content.
Flash Player is not adware or spyware and Adobe is not affiliated with any other companies who have created third-party technologies to track visitors as they browse the web.
Managing Your Preferences
Adobe is aware that some useful Flash Player features, like shared objects, sometimes referred to as "Flash cookies," may be leveraged by third-parties to perform the tracking functions of traditional browser cookies; however this usage is not condoned or supported by Adobe. Local shared objects are intended to be used to enhance your web-browsing experience, for example by letting you personalize the look and feel of a website that you frequently visit.
To give you control over this behavior Adobe makes available the Flash Player Settings Manager, an online application which lets you choose a comfortable level of privacy protection that Flash Player will maintain as you browse the web. This includes completely disabling shared objects, or "Flash cookies," altogether.
Ensuring Privacy in the Future
We are 100% committed to improving the privacy controls that Flash Player offers. In future releases we plan to introduce capabilities that not only maintain a secure browsing experience by default but also extend the control end-users have over the browsing experience.
These continued improvements will help to augment your web browsing safety by ensuring that no one will be able to track you across websites or have access to your personal information.
Privacy quick links
Privacy policy FAQ
What is Flash Player?
Adobe Flash Player is software that lets you view Flash content on websites, such as animations, video, and enhanced visual effects. It is also used on websites for applications like shopping carts, games, and other interactive experiences. Flash Player is commonly pre-installed on newer computers along with web browsers and other software.
Is Flash Player adware/spyware?
No. Flash Player is neither adware nor spyware. Flash Player will not collect any information about you for any purpose.
Does Flash Player compromise my privacy and security?
No. Flash Player is not only the most widely distributed piece of software on the Internet today, it's also one of the most secure. Given that Flash Player is in use by over 500 million internet users we invest considerable effort into keeping Flash Player safe and secure.
Adobe makes Flash Player, therefore isn't Adobe responsible for all the content and uses of the Player?
No. Just as browsers and their makers are not responsible for the content or actions of websites you view with them, Adobe is not responsible for all Flash content you view with Flash Player.
Flash local shared objects have been discussed in the news, what are they? Why not just get rid of them?
Flash local shared objects, sometimes called "Flash LSOs" or "Flash cookies," are similar to browsers cookies in that they are a way for websites to store information for later use. A website may only read information that it has previously written, so there's no way that local shared objects can obtain personally identifying information.
Websites that use local shared objects often offer a better experience, for example by letting you personalize the look and feel of a website that you frequently visit. However as a Flash Player user you always have the ability to get rid of shared objects that may be on your computer any time you want. Read detailed step-by-step instructions in this TechNote on Disabling Local Shared Objects.
How can I protect myself against malicious people trying to utilize browser and player technologies?
Make sure you trust the websites you visit before performing any potentially unsafe actions such as downloading content or allowing programs to be installed. Know your rights: read privacy and security statements and ensure you understand their implications. Learn about the companies which make the software you use to help you build trust; we encourage you to explore our site and learn more about Adobe and our business.
How do I turn off/disable shared objects and cookies?
Shared objects, or "Flash cookies," can be cleared or turned off via the Flash Player Settings Manager, an application similar to your browser settings where cookies can be disabled. The Settings Manager lets you delete shared objects and set your shared object preferences (such as your desire to be prompted, permissions, and storage limits) for all websites or only specific ones. Read detailed step-by-step instructions in this TechNote on Disabling Local Shared Objects.
How can I configure Flash Player to help control adware, spyware, and/or cookies?
Flash Player allows you to configure what Flash content on websites you visit can do, including local shared objects and settings for your camera and microphone. The Flash Player Help contains instructions on setting these preferences via the Settings Manager.
How do I remove Flash Player from my system?
Uninstallers for Adobe Flash Player can be found in the Flash Player Support Center. These uninstallers will remove Flash Player from your system completely.
How can I stay up-to-date on the future news about Flash Player and Privacy?
Visit the Flash Player Security and Privacy pages for up-to-date information as it becomes available.
