Is Java safe to run on macOS 13?

I'll get right to the point. Don't use Java! There is a reason why it was not included on the iPhone and later removed from MacOS. If security and performance are important to you, then you will not want Java on your system.

Steven Vizanko wrote:

is java safe to run on mac os 13.2.1

If you want/need to run java apps you will need to install java. There are no safety issues greater than running any other app. Are you really asking about java or are you referring to javascript? Users often get these two different things confused.

I do agree that the language is not the problem. The problem is the implementation into a web browser. In the past we had the "applet" tag when writing HTML code that is now deprecated, but can still be embedded with the "object" tag. It still requires the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) that adds an extra layer that affects both Performance and Security. HTML 5 has eliminated the need to have any java plugin in a web browser and if I browse to a site the requires the Java plugin, I would be very suspicious.

Newer versions of Safari no longer support Java web plugins and rely on HTML 5. It is the older versions that concern me the most with some users not being able to upgrade their version of Safari. You can now download a desktop version of Java, but I still feel this should not be needed for the average user. Even Oracle recommends quarterly updates of the JRE, with some of them not able to be done automatically, for security and performance.

For the average user, I cannot recommend Java for these reasons:

• Installation requires Admin credentials - When installing an App that requires Admin password, my recommendation to users is to make sure they know what files are being installed in the System folders and where they are being installed.
• Difficult uninstall - In most cases to uninstall Java, you need to either perform Terminal commands or know where the files are to be removed. This will need to be done in Safe mode if they are currently running.
• Vigilant Update Policy - You will need to make sure your are on the current version as this is not always done automatically. The update process is separate from the normal OS or App Store Update that the average user expects to use to make sure their device is secure.
• Targeted Exploits - Older versions of Java that use the plug-in in Safari are a common vector for bad actors on the web to exploit.

For the experienced user, they are aware of these limitations and know how to handle the problems that may arise, but on this forum where we are helping users with their problems, I stand by not recommending Java for those reasons.

I have the same question, and it's about java, not javascript. In order to install some mods for Minecraft, I have to install java. Since Apple parted with java in a previous OS I wasn't sure if it would be harmful to install java. Also wasn't sure what version of Java to install. I'm running 13.4, haven't upgraded to 14 just yet.

jkeyes wrote:

I have the same question, and it's about java, not javascript. In order to install some mods for Minecraft, I have to install java. Since Apple parted with java in a previous OS I wasn't sure if it would be harmful to install java. Also wasn't sure what version of Java to install. I'm running 13.4, haven't upgraded to 14 just yet.

It is always best to start your own questions here. Nobody wants to answer a piggybacked question.

jkeyes wrote:

Well if you know the answer it would be helpful just to hear it. I have never posted a question here so I wouldn't have any way of knowing that piggy backed questions were not welcome.

Start your own thread. Your issue may or may not be related to the original poster's issue. Thread jacking causes issues for others who may have similar problems who are searching for solutions. And, as already mentioned, helpers are hesitant to contribute to a thread that has gone off topic (may not be the same as the original) because of the confusion that results.

Just start your own thread. Very simple, right to the point of your issue, and will result in quicker and more helpful responses.

Mac Jim ID wrote:

I'll get right to the point. Don't use Java! There is a reason why it was not included on the iPhone and later removed from MacOS. If security and performance are important to you, then you will not want Java on your system.

Sorry but I have to disagree. Java is a secure very popular language. Users often confuse Java with other languages such as javascript.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(programming_language)

jave itself is not really an issue nor java scripts for that matter

but back in the day java had a plugin for java applets that ran in a browser and that had tons of security issues sort of like flash, java for local apps is not a problem really apart from oracle not really managing it java very well so it can be a world of hurts to get working

jkeyes wrote:

Well if you know the answer it would be helpful just to hear it. I have never posted a question here so I wouldn't have any way of knowing that piggy backed questions were not welcome.

Fair enough. Now you know. 😄

Well if you know the answer it would be helpful just to hear it. I have never posted a question here so I wouldn't have any way of knowing that piggy backed questions were not welcome.

Java itself is “safe”. What is potentially not safe is the java based applications you may want to run.