Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Adobe: Now More Popular Than Microsoft

By Tim Beyers – Updated Apr 6, 2017 at 2:25PM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Among hackers, at least.

Hackers love Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE).

That's according to a recent security report from McAfee (NYSE:MFE), which, like Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC), makes software that secures computers and networks. In a new report, McAfee predicts that Adobe's technologies could become as much a target as Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Office suite, BusinessWeek reports.

Evidence lends credence to the assertion. In November, BusinessWeek reported that Adobe had released nine security updates to its Acrobat Reader software, up from four the year prior. The magazine quoted a Moscow security lab that said Adobe's software had become the main doorway through which hackers could take control of PCs.

Hackers apparently exploit the way Adobe's Flash and Reader software tend to deliver downloadable documents and media, spiking those goodies with malicious code for unsuspecting users to download.

To be fair, the fault may lie in the popularity, rather than design, of Adobe's software. Hackers attack what we use most. Take Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone. Some "jail-broken" handsets were Rickrolled when users failed to take some basic precautions, such as changing the iPhone's default password.

Security threats are ever-present in computing, but the rise of cloud computing, smartphones, and social media has increased the number of available digital targets. Adobe has its hands full, but so do we all.

What are you doing to protect yourself from threats in 2010? Given the security threats, would you avoid Adobe at its current share price? Weigh in using the comments box below.

Apple and Adobe are Motley Fool Stock Advisor selections. Microsoft and Symantec are Motley Fool Inside Value picks. Motley Fool Options has recommended a diagonal call strategy on Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

Fool contributor Tim Beyers had stock and options positions in Apple at the time of publication. Check out Tim's portfolio holdings and Foolish writings, or connect with him on Twitter as @milehighfool. The Motley Fool is also on Twitter as @TheMotleyFool. The Fool's disclosure policy was last year's winner of the Miss Disclosure Beauty Pageant.

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over 1 Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More
Get Started Now

Stocks Mentioned

Adobe Inc. Stock Quote
Adobe Inc.
ADBE
$284.56 (-0.87%) $-2.50
Microsoft Corporation Stock Quote
Microsoft Corporation
MSFT
$237.92 (-1.27%) $-3.06
Apple Inc. Stock Quote
Apple Inc.
AAPL
$150.43 (-1.51%) $-2.31
NortonLifeLock Inc. Stock Quote
NortonLifeLock Inc.
NLOK
$20.67 (-2.82%) $0.60
McAfee LLC Stock Quote
McAfee LLC
MFE.DL

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

Related Articles

Motley Fool Returns

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns
339%
 
S&P 500 Returns
109%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 09/24/2022.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.