It doesn't solve my problem, but at least I'm relieved to learn I'm not the only one who's internet activity has been affected by the latest Flash download.
I've never been first in line to upgrade software — mainly because I prefer to wait until bugs have been identified and resolved; but about a month ago, I started to receive warnings that various websites no longer recognized my version of Safari. G-MAil was first, but despite the warning, it still seemed to be working, so I ignored it. But soon afterward, a game site I occasionally visit locked me out because Flash was not up-to-date.
When I missed the opportunity to sneak a game or two into my regular schedule, I gave in and downloaded Flash from Adobe's website. I"m no longer sure of the version number, but think it might have been 17.0.
Whatever it was . . . it worked!! . . . but only for a couple of weeks. First, the original game site locked me out again for the same reason. Then, when I started having trouble with my email (www.mail.com) they also suggested it might be related to Flash and possibly Java Script, as well. Since nobody has ever mentioned the latter as possible problem, I ignored that, but tried to reinstall Flash; but when I tried, Adobe's scanner reported that I already had the latest version on my Mac.
According to Adobe Support, I was only eligible for help from their users' forum, so gave it a try: stated my problem . . . received a form message thanking me for my feedback and referral back to Apple for support. While waiting for a response, I also searched online and found instructions for managing "web content" under the Safari/Preferences/Privacy menu. Unfortunately, while I found the site, it only offered two options, but no sign of web content.
I did check the Utilities folder, as well; found 6 folders with Adobe Software or Flash in their name (2 for Adobe AIR . . . 2 for Adobe Creative CS6 . .. plus one Adobe Application Manager and One Flash Player Install Manager.)
I only opened the last two but found the Application Manager only contained a stack of files with 3-letter names that I was unable to identify, so not knowing if any of them were related to CS6 (which I absolutely did not want to lose), I just closed the folder without proceeding any further.
But I did pin my hopes on the Flash Player Intall Manager. Unfortunately, when I clicked on it, I discovered it only contained an uninstaller.
I did consider just uninstalling the existing file and downloading Flash from the Adobe website again, but after reading in this forum how many others have tried that unsuccessfully, I'm not sure of what other effects it might have on my Mac — especially since I already seem to be missing part of the Safari Preference Privacy pane.
Also, for the first time in the more than 30 years I've been a committed Mac user, this is the first time I can remember ever buying a Mac from an authorized Mac dealer that did not include a restore disk in the box (probably because for the first time since they were introduced, my model also came without a CD optical radar. :[
Purchased in the summer of 2014, mine is what must have been the standard 21" desktop model (2.7 FGz Intel core i5) with OS 10.8.3 and Safari 6.0.3.
Question: What do I need to do now?
