Adobe X released with new sandboxing feature

Adobe X, the latest version of Adobe Reader, was released on Thursday and includes a new security feature designed to mitigate attacks against the popular PDF software. The new capability, called “Protected Mode,” will force operations that display PDF files to the user to be run inside a confined environment, known as a sandbox, in which certain functions are prohibited. The functionality will help prevent attackers from writing files or installing malware on a victim's computer, Brad Arkin, senior director of product security and privacy at Adobe, wrote in a blog post Thursday. The capability is similar to technologies used in the Google Chrome web browser and Microsoft Office 2010, Arkin said. – AM