Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found?
"Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found" is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website. Research shows that users often visit this website inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without permission.
As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver various intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, pop-ups, etc.), gather various sensitive data, and might also misuse system resources.
The "Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found" error states that the page cannot be loaded correctly and the installed Adobe Flash Player application is not up-to-date. It also encourages users to immediately update this tool, however, as mentioned above, "Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found" is fake - it is merely a scam.
Firstly, it is displayed no matter which version of Flash Player is installed (even if it is up-to-date). Secondly, rather than downloading updates, victims will download malware. At time of research, this scam was distributed with a virus that steals passwords. Previously, these scams were known to spread adware and ransomware-type viruses.
In any case, ignore the "Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found" error and never click the "Download" button. Your applications should be updated using implemented functions or tools provided by the official developer. Immediately exit any malicious websites.
In some cases, these websites use scripts that prevent users from closing tabs, clicking "Back", and performing other tasks. In this case, close the web browser (preferably, via Task Manager) or reboot the system. After re-running the browser, never click "Restore Closed Tabs", otherwise you will return to the malicious site.
As mentioned above, potentially unwanted programs often deliver various intrusive advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Furthermore, these advertisements can lead to malicious websites and even run scripts that download/install malware. Therefore, even a single click might result in high-risk computer infections. Information tracking is also an issue. Potentially unwanted programs often gather various data that might be classed as confidential.
PUP developers later sell this data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, the presence of information-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter such redirects, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs misuse system resources to perform various unnecessary tasks (e.g., to mine cryptocurrency). In doing so, they significantly reduce overall system performance. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall all PUPs immediately.
| Name | "Adobe Flash Player was not found" virus |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found" shares many similarities with ACTION CENTER, Windows Support Alert, Microsoft Azure, and dozens of other fake errors. All state that the system is damaged (e.g., infected, missing files, etc.), however, unlike "Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found", most of these errors do not offer any downloads.
They encourage victims to contact "certified technicians" via telephone numbers provided, however, rather than contacting technical support, criminals are directed to cyber criminals who claim to be computer technicians.
Most fake errors are essentially designed to trick unsuspecting users into paying for technical services that are not required (all claims regarding computer issues are false).
Potentially unwanted programs also share many similarities. By offering various "useful features", PUPs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, rather than giving any real value for regular users, they pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?
As mentioned above, PUPs typically infiltrate systems without permission. Most are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", and the aforementioned intrusive ads. "Bundling" is stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs together with regular software/apps.
Developers do not disclose these installations properly - they hide "bundled" apps within various sections (most likely "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes. Many users rush and skip these procedures. In addition, they click various advertisements. This behavior exposes their systems to risk of various infections.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior - the key to safety is caution. Therefore, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
Furthermore, download your applications from official sources only and, preferably, using a direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers are typically promoted using the "bundling" method (they promote rogue apps).
Therefore, these tools should not be used. Intrusive ads often appear legitimate, but redirect to gambling, adult dating pornography, and other dubious websites. If you encounter these redirects, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions.
Text presented in "Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found" pop-up:
Adobe Flash Player 28.0.0.126 was not found
The web page you are trying to load is displayed incorrectly, as it uses the "Adobe Flash Player 28.0.0.126". To fix the error and display the next you have to update the "Adobe Flash Player".
Manufacturer: Adobe Systems Software Ireland Ltd
Current Version: Adobe Flash Player 26.3.3.500
Latest version: Adobe Flash Player 28.0.0.126
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted programs:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "adobe flash player was not found" virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "adobe flash player was not found" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with "adobe flash player was not found" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "adobe flash player was not found" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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