Viewing Flash Content After January 12: What You Need to Know

As of January 12, 2021, Adobe will block Flash content from running on Flash Player. This means that any SWF files created prior to this date will no longer be viewable in the browser. If you're a developer or educator who has been tasked with updating or rebuilding old Flash modules, you may be wondering how to access and analyze these files.

One solution is to use a local web server like WAMP/MAMP to simplify the security process. By hosting your SWF files locally, you can easily view and manipulate them without worrying about security issues.

Another option is to use a browser that still supports Flash content, such as Internet Explorer 11. However, this may not be a viable solution for everyone, especially those who have moved away from older browsers.

In the case of one client I worked with, they didn't have any original graphics or build files for their Flash module. Instead, we relied heavily on the SWF file to rebuild complicated graphics and arcade-style learning games. This highlights the importance of having access to these files, even if it's just to analyze what was done in the past.

For those who are still working with old Flash content, there are a few things to keep in mind when trying to view or convert these files. First, make sure that all resources on your page are loaded over HTTPS. Mixed-mode HTTPS is no longer supported by most browsers.

Additionally, be aware of same-origin policy issues. When a browser considers whether or not two resources come from the same origin, it looks at the protocol, hostname, and port. If these don't match exactly, they're considered different origins. This can cause problems when trying to load third-party content.

Finally, make sure that any third-party content you're loading explicitly allows cross-origin requests. CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) is a mechanism for other servers to grant permission for your page to make requests to them.

By understanding these issues and finding ways to work around them, developers and educators can continue to view and update old Flash modules, even after January 12.

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