Do I need to disable Java on my iMac and laptop?

[question everything]

http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1112762449/hackers-exploit-java-vulnerability-011113/

Hackers Exploit Java Vulnerability, Disabling Software May Be Only Option

[freshwest]

1. MyScript and Net settings disable all java unless I give permission one at a time. And I seldom do.

It takes more time going through things, but I've been good so far. Someone who knows more could probably advise you.

Like Make7, one of our resident experts. Usually only posts answers to those asking in the Help and Welcome forum.

[question everything]

2. Thanks, will look there

even though, I don't know whether this relates to DU..

[freshwest]

3. Relates to DU would be Meta? Many ask their computer questions in Help. Good luck.

[mythology]

4. It's a good idea to disable Java in your browser no matter the OS

If you really need Java for something, leave it enabled in a secondary browser that you use just for that.

There was a recent Java exploit that infected 600,000 Macs. Most malware now is designed to run on add-ons like Java or Adobe Flash because it increases the potential infectees.

[question everything]

5. Disable on the browser? Not on my hard drive?

I have no idea what I'd use it for. Searching my application folder I find java installed... last October!

I wonder whether it was installed with Firefox which automatically "update" itself.

[REP]

6. Apple did it for you.

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/01/11/apple-blocks-java-7-on-os-x-to-address-widespread-security-threat/

[question everything]

7. Thanks, hope it did OK

I admit, in most cases, when the "software update" icon pops, I tell it "not now" since in most cases the updates are irrelevant for me: iTunes or other applications that I do not use.

[cbayer]

8. You should probably reconsider that, as you also get security updates that

you might not know you need but do.

[question everything]

9. I certainly will. From now on

Thing is, it always pops up when I am in the middle of something..

Should leave it at the dock so that I can go back to it..

[cbayer]

10. That happens to me as well, but I have made a point of leaving the window open so I can

get back to it.

[Phillip McCleod]

11. one of the rare cases where the malware works on any os

since java runtime runs on any os in various forks. for this problem best best is refer to your *browser* maker's 'how-to disable java' docs. in firefox, tools > plugins (not extensions) > anything-with-java7

the confusion is parlance refers to different things by the simple term 'java'. these are all different things:

the programming language java (not dangerous in itself),
the java runtime plugin for your blowser (disable it if its version 7 unless you have the patch!)
java*script* which is a whole separate beast and your noscript etc doesn't touch the java bug at all,
local java runtime for apps on your computer (neo/open/libreoffice etc)..

this last one i'm not sure about. i think if you're infected then it's too late until a cure is found. if not then turning off the java browser plugin is probably enough.

oh yeah and if you don't have java 7 then you don't have to worry at all.

[question everything]

12. Thank you very much

Just search my HD and all mentions of java are from several years ago. Came with previous computers and I never deleted them.