Cannot download Java SE6 plug in

Apple didn't remove Java from Snow Leopard. Assuming you're using Safari, check Preferences > Security > Allow Java.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5241

You can check the Java version you're running opening Terminal and entering

java -version

Then press Return.

Apple barred Java from running on Macs in order to safeguard users by blocking Java 7 Update 11 and adding it to the banned list in XProtect.

This was the second time in two weeks that Apple had blocked Oracle's code from running on Macs. 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. This time Java is blocked through Apple's XProtect anti-malware feature.

Java has come under fire as the means by which hackers have been able to gain control of computers. In April 2012 more than 600,000 Macs were reported to have been infected with a Flashback Trojan horse that was being installed on people's computers with the help of Java exploits. Then in August Macs were again at risk due to a flaw in Java, this time around, there was good news for Mac users: Thanks to changes Apple has made, most of us were safe from the threat.

Unwilling to leave its customers open to potential threats Apple decided it's safer to block Java entirely.

In order to block older versions of Flash, Apple has updated its "Xprotect.plist" file so that any versions that come before the current one (version 11.6.602.171) cannot be used on a Mac. Users who have older versions of Flash installed will be greeted with an alert that says "Blocked plug-in," and Safari will prompt the user to update to a newer version.

Macs running OS X Snow Leopard and beyond are affected.

UPDATE for those running Lion or Mountain Lion:

Oracle on Friday February 1 released a new version reportedly addressing vulnerabilities seen with the last build.

Apple disabled Java 7 through the OS X XProtect anti-malware system, requiring users to have at least version "1.7.0_10-b19" installed on their Macs. The release dated February 1 carries the designation "1.7.0_13-b20," meeting Apple's requirements.

Oracle "strongly recommends" applying the CPU fixes as soon as possible, saying that the latest Critical Patch Update contains 50 new security fixes across all Jave SE products.

Update for Snow Leopard users:

Apple issued update 12 for Java for OS 10.6:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1573

Note: On systems that have not already installed Java for Mac OS X 10.6 update 9 or later, this update will configure web browsers to not automatically run Java applets. Java applets may be re-enabled by clicking the region labeled "Inactive plug-in" on a web page. If no applets have been run for an extended period of time, the Java web plug-in will deactivate.

If, after installing Java for OS X 2013-002 and the latest version of Java 7 from Oracle, you want to disable Java 7 and re-enable the Apple-provided Java SE 6 web plug-in and Web Start functionality, follow these steps:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5559?viewlocale=en_US

Further update:

Apple issued this Java related security update No. 13 on February 19:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5666

and Update No. 14 on March 4: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1573

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5677

And the latest update from April 16, 2013:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572

and for Snow Leopard from June 18, 2013:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1573

You should also read this:

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5672

The standard recommendation is for users to turn off Java except when they have to use it on known and trusted websites (like their bank). Javascript, which is unrelated despite the name, can be left on.

Further useful comments in these articles:

http://www.macworld.co.uk/macsoftware/news/?newsid=3435007&olo=email

http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle/news/?newsid=3437378&olo=email

james grieve wrote:

Can anyone advise, please?

Don't use Java.

Oracle is dropping support for Java 6 anyway, Java 7 has problems and it's just not worth running it.

Let go Luke. 🙂

james grieve wrote:

I'm in a quandary because I use sites in my studies that require Java to access the materials.

If you must use Java for studies, then you should still be able to, if you have installed all the Java updates. Are you saying after going through all of the above you are still unable to enable Java in your browser when visiting those sites? You should be able to allow the use of Java on only those sites by approving each the first time you access them. If you are still getting the blocked plug-in dialog, then something has gone wrong with your installation.

Klaus1 wrote:

Update for Snow Leopard users:

Apple issued update 12 for Java for OS 10.6:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1573

Note that this should read: Update 16 for Java for OS 10.6

Klaus1 deserved the solved button, since all I did was clarify what he posted; however, don't fret and thanks for the feedback.

Hello Can you please explain what is happening with java, because i am fricking out, i love my mac and i dont want it to get messed up or get any information leak out, i heard about the flashback trojan, i checked it by copying it into terminal, and says deoes not exist. So please explain please cuz i see u have alot of informtion but i dont really get whats happening. sorry for this paragraph, but i will appreciate and thank you for any help and explanation. looking forward for your reply.

Hello Can you please explain what is happening with java, because i am fricking out, i love my mac and i dont want it to get messed up or get any information leak out, i heard about the flashback trojan, i checked it by copying it into terminal, and says deoes not exist. So please explain please cuz i see u have alot of informtion but i dont really get whats happening. sorry for this paragraph, but i will appreciate and thank you for any help and explanation. looking forward for your reply.

Celine111 wrote:

i heard about the flashback trojan

Flashback is extinct and hasn't been see for over a year now. When it was active there was never any proof that it passed on any private information from the computer, it just redirected your browser to advertising sites. Don't give it another thought.

The topic being discussed here is "Cannot download Java SE6 plug in". If that's not your problem, then you need to start with a new topic and describe what it is. That way you will get a lot more help than trying to change the subject here.

If you just want to know how to keep safe, then follow Apple's instructions to keep Java disabled in all your browsers except when you must visit a site that requires it's use. Make sure you disable it again before you leave that site. Also make sure to use Software Update to keep Java, your OS and all Apple apps fully up-to-date. You posted to an OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard forum, so I assume that's what you are currently using. There have been indications this week that Apple will no longer support your OS with even critical updates, so if you are able to upgrade your OS, you should do so very soon.