Xapd
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Java for OS X Apple v Oracle version

Greetings all.

 

Been a long time stalker on the support community but I finally needed to log in and get around a problem I have.

 

I recently did a fresh install of Yosemite have yet to install several, programs because previous experiences have had to install Java SE 6 in order to run some of these.

 

I am hesitant to install it because oracle was in the news last month regarding adware it bundled into the Mac version of Java. Is this also the case with apples version of Java found on the support site 'Java for OS X 2014-001'? Or is this a separate package to the Oracle version?

 

Apples version seems to be older compared to Oracles and I have read on forums here and in other places that it is a security risk, is it true that the risk would only apply to the software using the legacy apple version and that this version, Java for OS X 2014-001, will not install/enable java on the web browser?

 

Currently running Yosemite 10.10.3, have no other version of java installed. Would like to avoid it as much as possible.

OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 13, 2015 10:17 AM

by Kurt Lang,Solvedanswer
Kurt Lang Kurt Lang
Level 8 (37,815 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Apple's version isn't trimmed down. In versions 6 and earlier, Oracle would make whatever changes to Java. Apple would then take Oracle's code and make it usable for OS X. At version 7, Apple basically told Oracle to take care of their own software. And so Oracle now does the work of making a Mac compatible version.

 

Version 6 is safe to use on your system. OS X will not allow version 6 to connect to any browser, so any Java exploits online can't function. OS X won't even allow Oracle's Java 7 to function. You must use version 8 if you require Java for the web.

Posted on Apr 13, 2015 2:54 PM

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Xapd

Q: Java for OS X Apple v Oracle version

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Apr 14, 2015 9:44 AM in response to Xapd
    Level 10 (270,928 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 14, 2015 9:44 AM in response to Xapd

    There is no adware bundled with Apple's Java. Also, there is a way to get around the Oracle Java's adware.

  • by mreeves68,

    mreeves68 mreeves68 Apr 13, 2015 10:31 AM in response to Xapd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2015 10:31 AM in response to Xapd

    Apple's version of Java is no longer supported (no updates), so yes, it will have security holes.  It is Java 6, whereas Oracle is on Java 8 or 9 now.

     

    Supposedly there is a checkbox during the install of the Oracle version to not install the crapwar, but I haven't done it yet.  And then you have to remember to check/uncheck that box everytime you do an upgrade, I guess.

     

    best option, don't install it at all.  Unfortunately that is not an option for me, thanks to Adobe CS5.  I'm going to have to install it this week.

  • by LynnRCarter,

    LynnRCarter LynnRCarter Apr 13, 2015 10:52 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 13, 2015 10:52 AM in response to Kappy

    Kappy,

     

    The ads while you are downloading from their website are a problem, but there is a way to suppress ads thereafter.

     

    Go to System Preferences.  Click on the Java Icon (in the last row).

    A separate window opens with tabbed sub-windows.

    Click on the Advanced tab.

    Scroll to the bottom and you should see a "Miscellaneous" heading.

    Check the box labeled "Suppress sponsor offers when installing or updating Java"

     

    I've seen no more ads from Oracle or their partners.  I'm running the most current version of Java 8 with no problems.

     

    LRCarter

  • by Xapd,

    Xapd Xapd Apr 13, 2015 11:33 AM in response to mreeves68
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2015 11:33 AM in response to mreeves68

    I should be more specific, there is a pop-up like you get for CS5 to install Java for OS X 2014-001. From my understanding, anything higher from Oracle will not do the job (according to various posts on these discussion boards. I would very much like to avoid Oracles full blown version and stick to Apple's trimmed down version.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 13, 2015 11:46 AM in response to Xapd
    Level 10 (270,928 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2015 11:46 AM in response to Xapd

    Correct. You need to install Apple Java 2014-001.

  • by Xapd,

    Xapd Xapd Apr 13, 2015 2:29 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2015 2:29 PM in response to Kappy

    Yea I think I am going to have to, but using this version will only allow these programs to run right? It's not going to enable java on my browsers? Sorry if I am getting repetitive, I just want to use some of the things I paid for without having to worry about ancient prequisits opening my system to harm.

  • by LynnRCarter,Helpful

    LynnRCarter LynnRCarter Apr 14, 2015 9:44 AM in response to Xapd
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 14, 2015 9:44 AM in response to Xapd

    Some Adobe applications and others need Java on your system to run properly.  Kappy has pointed you to the minimum software you will need on your computer for those applications.  As long as you have disabled Java in Safari and any other browsers you may be using, you will not be open for exploits from Java defects hidden on web pages.

     

    How to disable the Java web plug-in in Safari - Apple Support

     

    Lynn

  • by Kurt Lang,Solvedanswer

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Apr 13, 2015 2:54 PM in response to Xapd
    Level 8 (37,815 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 13, 2015 2:54 PM in response to Xapd

    Apple's version isn't trimmed down. In versions 6 and earlier, Oracle would make whatever changes to Java. Apple would then take Oracle's code and make it usable for OS X. At version 7, Apple basically told Oracle to take care of their own software. And so Oracle now does the work of making a Mac compatible version.

     

    Version 6 is safe to use on your system. OS X will not allow version 6 to connect to any browser, so any Java exploits online can't function. OS X won't even allow Oracle's Java 7 to function. You must use version 8 if you require Java for the web.

  • by LynnRCarter,

    LynnRCarter LynnRCarter Apr 13, 2015 3:16 PM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 13, 2015 3:16 PM in response to Kurt Lang

    My point by using the word "minimum" is that the Apple version is *not* Java 8 and there are features in Java 8 that are *not* in the version that Apple supports.  If you want to create software on your own computer using the latest version of Java, or you want to use software that others have written leveraging the latest features of Java 8, what you get from Apple will not be enough.

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Apr 13, 2015 5:31 PM in response to LynnRCarter
    Level 8 (37,815 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 13, 2015 5:31 PM in response to LynnRCarter

    Well, okay. But please note where it says at the top of my post that I was responding to Xapd. I wasn't commenting on your points at all.

  • by Xapd,

    Xapd Xapd Apr 14, 2015 9:43 AM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 14, 2015 9:43 AM in response to Kurt Lang

    mreeves68, Kurt Lang, LynnRCarter, Kappy, thank you all so much for helping me. I think I am going to go ahead and use SE6. I appreciate in the insight from each of you.