Java-what to do?

Make sure you have Java Enabled in your browser.

For Safari:

Click Safari next to the  in the upper left corner.

Click Preferences.

Click the Security tab.

There will be a box that says Enable Java. If it is checked, uncheck it and wait a few seconds, then re-check it.

Quit Safari and reopen it.

Also, with the Java updates I believe it removes the Java Preferences utility, but somehow I still have mine. Just in case, use the Spotlight to search for Java Preferences. If you still have it, make sure to check the box that says enable web applet plugins.

Any luck?

The recently released Java 7 Update 11 has been blocked by Apple through its XProtect anti-malware feature in OS X.

Oracle issued the latest update to Java earlier this month to fix a serious zero-day security flaw. The threat was so serious that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had recommended that all Java 7 users disable or uninstall the software until a patch was issued.

Apple took action on its own and quietly disabled the plugin through its OS X anti-malware system. And as noted by MacGeneration on Thursday, Apple has again updated its OS X XProtect list, this time to block Java 7 Update 11.

Because Oracle has yet to issue a newer version of Java that addresses any outstanding issues, Mac users are prevented from running Java on their system.

Over the last few years, Apple has moved to gradually remove Java from OS X. The Mac maker dropped the Java runtime from the default installation for OS X 10.7 Lion when the operating system update launched in 2010. Java vulnerabilities have been a common exploit used by malicious hackers looking to exploit the OS X platform.

Most notably, the "Flashback" trojan that spread last year was said to have infected as many as 600,000 Macs worldwide at its peak. Apple addressed the issue by releasing a removal tool specifically tailored for the malware, and also disabled the Java runtime in its Safari web browser starting with version 5.1.7.

Javascript should not be disabled (it has nothing to do with Java).

You're not going to like this answer, but Java on the web should be considered permanently unsafe to use, even during the brief intervals when it's not blocked. Using it to play games on a website is unrealistic.

I'm glad Apple is deciding what is best for us. We can no longer launch any locally hosted programs that require a java applet through the browser either.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4026813?answerId=21091723022#21091723022 and https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4706487?tstart=0

EllaOH wrote:

Is there an online blog or site that keeps one up to date on these kinds of things?

This site seems to have had some good, accurate info over the past few weeks:

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/01/31/for-the-second-time-this-month-apple-bloc ks-java-7-on-os-x-10-6-and-up-to-protect-mac-users/

I couldn't agree more. Java update just popped up this morning, since I have the full program which I used initially last Spring, for Streaming Quotes at Scottrade. I no longer use it. Apple periodically blocks Java from the browser anyhow. I have it disabled from my browser, but have the plug-in box checked still since that is the part that Apple seems to not allow. When I bought my iMac last May I made sure to ask about Java and the Flashback and at that time the patches were already on my computer, but since then, more bugs have gotten in through Java, so I just leave the program alone , don't so anymore updates on it, don't use it. Apple knows best.

If there are patches needed for Java to run some scripts on the browser, they come through as Apple updates.

I wouldn't mess with it anymore and I won't even try to uninstall the program I downloaded last year. It has to actually be opened each time I use it for streaming quotes, but I don't do that anymore.

terri

tmgrl4 wrote:

If there are patches needed for Java to run some scripts on the browser, they come through as Apple updates.

Well, maybe and maybe not. Apple only provides updates for Java SE 6 and may not be doing that much longer. If you have installed Java SE 7 from Oracle at any time, chances are that is what your browser would use if you allowed it. There are instructions for switching your browser back to 6, but you would know if you had done that. If I were in you position I would keep everything up-to-date or remove Java 7.

I wouldn't mess with it anymore and I won't even try to uninstall the program I downloaded last year. It has to actually be opened each time I use it for streaming quotes, but I don't do that anymore.

I'm not really clear on what that program is or exactly how it uses Java. Although there are a few vulnerabilities in the non-browser (i.e. non-plug-in) portion of the Java code, none are known to have ever been exploited in OS X. So there is little, if any danger in using an application that requires Java to run. The only question about those these days is what version of Java they require and developers are starting to release updates now.

Thanks, MadMacs. I disabled Java in Safari, long time ago,but have JavaScript enabled since disabling it took so manyKing icons away. This a.m. I got a notice from Java for an update to version 7 . I rejected it. When I went into Java settings it indicated that browser was disabled for security reasons and was checked that I was "up to date."

Not sure how to delete Java. Have to do a search. I keep the icon for accessing Java in a Finder window.

I assume that if I I install Java, version 7 , that won't affect the Safari usage of plugins as allowed by Apple...I do all my Apple and other updates. Thanks for the info. As I said I no longer use Java. My iPads won't even allow it to be installed.

Terri

Also, everything I have read is don't try to uninstall Java...too linked, too many shared files. So, I simply don't do any more updates from Java, and oddly, Java tells ME that all updates have been done. Despite my requiring I be notified before installing and rejecting that last one, maybe two. When I clicked on update today in Java Settings, said I was up to date, yet I rejected this a.m.'s request to install latest update.

Also, seems as though my disabling Java in browser, but allowing java scripts has caused me no problems.

Again, can't even put it on iPads. Says does not support the program.

So...right now, if it ain't broke....

I won't use it for streaming quotes, since that is only place I used full program. When I did use it, it tells you you are opening Java and do you want to run it. So I just don't use it. Don't need it. I can get streaming quotes elsewhere. At Scottrade, they find it an issue with Scottrade that two major parts of their platform are not Apple-friendly.

Nowhere, do I see an easy way to uninstall Java 7. If someone has one that doesn't require typing in all kinds of commands and removing elements....it should come with uninstall, but it doesn't and of course it can't just be dragged to trash.

t