Homeland Security says to disable your Java script.

Well, that sounds sort of serious. Macs are included in ths warning... Does anyone know if iPads and iPhones have Java too?

http%3A//news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57563951-83/homeland-security-still-advises-disabling-java-even-after-update/



• Sounds hoaxy, is it true? I saw yesterday and scoffed.

• No, not hoaxy. JAVA has been having security vulnerabilities since they released version 7.

• NOT javascript. Java. Different things.

• What exactly does Java do? What things won't run when I disable it?

• [quote]What things won't run when I disable it? There is very little JAVA on websites these days. You will not miss it.

• No, not a hoax. I've had mine disabled since last week. However, it should be clarified that it's your Java browser plug-in that needs disabling, not your Java "script." Javascript is something websites use and this is not affected. Oracle issued a patch this weekend, but the pros still feel it's not safe enough yet, that disabling or uninstalling is still the best option. Also, it affects all operating systems, Mac and Linux are not immune.

  http%3A//www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/01/14/java_zero_day_exploit_don_t_patch_just_disable_java_in_your_browser.html

• I don't know what this stuff means!!

  computer dummy

• So please tell us how to disable the correct Java thingie. Will I still be able to play Buzz's Words and Gems Swap Christmas Edition? What about playing Lexulous? I gots to have my games. TIA

• Here you go R8: [bold] How do I disable Java in my web browser? [/bold]

  http%3A//www.java.com/en/download/help/disable_browser.xml

• Java has nothing do with JavaScript. You shouldn't even have it installed (it's not required for much any more) If you do have it installed, you should disabled it entirely. Or uninstall it.

• One of the few things out there that still employ the use Java applets are games, so I would advise against playing them for the time being. It would certainly be an area ripe for exploitation by the malicious code droppers for that very reason.

• Thanks, R9. I'm not quite sure if I have it enabled or not. My computer control panel isn't showing an exact copy of the picture shown in the instructions. I.e., in my Java Control Panel security section there is nothing there. In the advanced section it's a bit confusing. I'll google it some more. Appreciate your help.

  R8

• Would it be on an iPhone?

• I freaked and ran up to the pc, it was automatically disabled by firefox. Nice to know someone knows what they're doing.

• R12, sounds like you should either uninstall it, or update it to the latest version.

• [quote]or update it to the latest version. Or go the opposite route--version 6 doesn't have the problem and it's still available.

  http%3A//www.java.com/en/download/manual_v6.jsp

• I don't know nuthin' about Java, but my Adobe Flash crashes about once an hour and it drives me crazy.

• The only Java apps I have in my control panel are "Java2 Runtime environment" and "Java(TM)6 Update 26. Am I going to die???? seriously I'm a computer idiot and have no idea what the fuck a runtime environment is.

• Now I am confused. Why would I update it if I want to disable it? Is that the only way to disable it? What if the gremlins sneak in after I update and before I can disable? Why is life so hard? Why why why?

  Stupid at R8 and 12

• I uninstalled java from the damned computer!!!

• Is there something similar to a contra panel uninstall/disable on a mac or do I have to disable individually in each browser?

• I hear you (R17)! I know it has to do with Google Chrome and I've tried to fix it multiple times. But it crashes anyway. Drives me bananas. I'm probably going to stop using Chrome, even though I like it.

• Most people who have Java installed don't even need it. I recently upgraded to Windows 8 and didn't reinstall Java and after a few months haven't had one issue.

• [quote]Is there something similar to a contra panel uninstall/disable on a mac or do I have to disable individually in each browser? Mountain Lion doesn't come with Java installed. If you've installed it yourself, or if you're on Lion, Snow Leopard, etc., you can either disable it in your browser preferences or disable it system-wide.

  http%3A//osxdaily.com/2012/09/08/how-to-disable-java

• So Java 6 is okay?

• What could happen if I don't? Is a terrorist going to blow up my house via my computer?

• The terrorist will steal all of your money out of the bank.

• Java, JavaScript, Cup o' Joe. I'm so confused!