# Adobe has an update and wants my computer password. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 18, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092 "2012-10-18T03:03:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/1 "2012-10-18T03:03:58Z")
I get a notice that Adobe has a new update. Well, I use Adobe, and I want the newest. I download it, then click install. I get a message that says Adobe wants to do some changes and requires my computer password. Well, it is like giving the keys to my car to a person I don’t know. So, I didn’t install it. Is asking for a password normal? I don’t get it. What do you folks do? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/2 "2012-10-18T03:05:51Z")
If you mean the pop-up giving administrator permission to install the program, you’re telling Windows to go ahead with the install. Adobe sees nothing. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/3 "2012-10-18T03:29:40Z")
NO, the message is from Adobe. “Adobe requires your password to make changes”. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/4 "2012-10-18T03:31:47Z")
Can you go through the install again and post a screenshot? I’ve only ever seen the Windows pop-up. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/5 "2012-10-18T03:33:37Z")
what operating system and version are you using? what permissions does the account have that you are logged in with? ---
**Author:** ![ClevelandProud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@ClevelandProud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClevelandProud)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/6 "2012-10-18T03:35:35Z")
Q) Adobe Reader? If so, you boogie to their website and you do not mouseclick on a hyperlink embedded in an email supposedly from Adobe. Download new and previous versions of Adobe Reader: > **[Adobe - Download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC](https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions)** > > Download free Adobe Acrobat Reader software for your Windows, Mac OS and Android devices to view, print, and comment on PDF documents. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/7 "2012-10-18T03:44:56Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > NO, the message is from Adobe. “Adobe requires your password to make changes”. The message is just badly written. If it’s the correct Adobe reader, its asking for an admin password for your computer so the software can install. The password is never sent to Adobe. Just make sure you have the correct Adobe software from the official site and not some other version, there was a phishing scam that pretends to be an Adobe Reader update. [http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009\_3-20049199-83.html](http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20049199-83.html) ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/8 "2012-10-18T03:47:05Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > what operating system and version are you using? what permissions does the account have that you are logged in with? Using Mac OSX 10.7.4 and Firefox ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/9 "2012-10-18T03:52:24Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > The message is just badly written. If it’s the correct Adobe reader, its asking for an admin password for your computer so the software can install. The password is never sent to Adobe. > > Just make sure you have the correct Adobe software from the official site and not some other version, there was a phishing scam that pretends to be an Adobe Reader update. > [http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009\_3-20049199-83.html](http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20049199-83.html) Thank you coremelt. In the future I will go to their website for downloads. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/10 "2012-10-18T15:21:08Z")
Your instincts are right. Respectable companies will _never_ ask for your password. It’s a scam. Even if the Adobe corporation itself were, for some reason, to actually ask for your password, they would _in that very act_ descend into being disreputable and dangerous, and quickly be left behind by savvy Internet users. Simply _never_ give your password (or similar access controls) to any website, e-mail, or online contact. Period. No matter what they say. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/11 "2012-10-18T16:00:14Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > I get a notice that Adobe has a new update. Well, I use Adobe, and I want the newest. I download it, then click install. I get a message that says Adobe wants to do some changes and requires my computer password. Well, it is like giving the keys to my car to a person I don’t know. So, I didn’t install it. Is asking for a password normal? I don’t get it. What do you folks do? That reeks of fakery and scam. Go to Adobe’s Website to check for updates. Safer. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/12 "2012-10-18T17:08:25Z")
This reeks of misunderstanding. Please post a screen capture. Virtually ALL installers ask for authentication - my guess is you are mis-reading the dialog box. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/13 "2012-10-18T17:40:59Z")
I want to see how this comes out. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/14 "2012-10-18T17:41:03Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Using Mac OSX 10.7.4 and Firefox Also on a Mac and my conclusion (as I’ve been seeing some other “aggressive” Adobe update popups is that Adobe is trying to get its user to believe how important and critical it is), depending on what your settings are for application installation (and adminstering the computer), it should just be the adobe installer asking permission to change its program in the Applications folder which is protected by default from Apple. I suspect that it is not malicious but just a very poorly written program. By “aggressive”, I have seen me change the preferences all to, never check for update and then get the new updater pop-up two days later. If you try to cancel and not install (as opposed to quitting the program with command+q), it actually freezes up and I have to kill it with Force Quit. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/15 "2012-10-18T17:43:45Z")
A MAC will ask for the password for an administrator, even if the administrator is currently logged on, before it will do updates and install software. This sounds normal. I run across that all the time. It should be a consistent small simple MAC window you see, not something pretty with "advertising However, I will reiterate the advice above - be SURE you are downloading from the official adobe site; go to [www.adobe.com](http://www.adobe.com) and follow the links for download. See an example of the MAC request, about halfway down the page. “Since it’s installing system software, you’ll need to enter your admin account password” [http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how\_to\_set\_up\_configure\_verizon\_mifi2200\_device.html#M0o1vxxUAUTEf0qp.99](http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_to_set_up_configure_verizon_mifi2200_device.html#M0o1vxxUAUTEf0qp.99) ---
**Author:** ![vectorsdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5fc32e/32.png) [@vectorsdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vectorsdog)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/16 "2012-10-18T23:13:15Z")
Scam ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/17 "2012-10-18T23:30:33Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > A MAC will ask for the password for an administrator, even if the administrator is currently logged on, before it will do updates and install software. This sounds normal. I run across that all the time. It should be a consistent small simple MAC window you see, not something pretty with "advertising > > However, I will reiterate the advice above - be SURE you are downloading from the official adobe site; go to [www.adobe.com](http://www.adobe.com) and follow the links for download. > > See an example of the MAC request, about halfway down the page. > > “Since it’s installing system software, you’ll need to enter your admin account password” > [http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how\_to\_set\_up\_configure\_verizon\_mifi2200\_device.html#M0o1vxxUAUTEf0qp.99](http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_to_set_up_configure_verizon_mifi2200_device.html#M0o1vxxUAUTEf0qp.99) It’s Mac, not MAC. MAC = Media Access Control ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/18 "2012-10-19T00:16:40Z")
In my book, since Adobe has never failed to open a PDF when I asked it to, if it says it needs to install an update, it can go stuff itself. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/19 "2012-10-19T00:27:30Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > In my book, since Adobe has never failed to open a PDF when I asked it to, if it says it needs to install an update, it can go stuff itself. This is a pretty short-sighted reaction to an update request. [Here](http://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-53/product_id-497/cvssscoremin-4/cvssscoremax-4.99/Adobe-Acrobat-Reader.html) is a list of known Reader vulnerabilities. Most (if not all) have been patched via updates. ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092/20 "2012-10-19T00:47:33Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > In my book, since Adobe has never failed to open a PDF when I asked it to, if it says it needs to install an update, it can go stuff itself. Adobe updates have little to do with how well it reads your PDF files. It’s more about how it handles PDF files that are tainted with malware or exploitation code. Older versions of Adobe pose a much greater security risk to your systems. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-has-an-update-and-wants-my-computer-password/638092.md?page=2)