OSX Mavericks not recognising Java Applet Plug-in

DuckDuckGo is just a search engine as far as I know, I'm not sure if they have their own browser.

The basic idea is to avoid Java in the browser if at all possible, so disable it in your daily browser (lets say Safari) use Firefox, Chrome, Opera or something else just for the tasks requiring Java. Similar things are true of Flash (system access, potential security risks), so it's worth considering the ClickToFlash extension for Safari (or remove Flash altogether & use Chrome - it has Flash support built in). I think the latest Safari has an option for 'click to load plugins' that removes the need for ClickToFlash (I may be mixing this up with Chrome)?

I'd recomend avoiding Java on public wifi or wifi networks you don't trust because it's possible for other users to try to modify the traffic on that network (or the network itself could be malicious or compromised). Using a VPN will wrap all your traffic in encryption, making the local network less of an issue.

To be honest you may well be fine, but it's worth knowing that Java is not the safest web plugin, there is no point exposing your browser (and OS) if it can be avoided.

Thank you for this explanation, yes, DDGo is just a search engine, I dont know what I was thinking when I thought otherwise.

My wifi is private and we are rural, and Comcast cable, so no problem there. But I do use Flash and Java, so I probably better give your instructions some serious thought. Though Ive used these for years with no problem.

I hardly ever use Opera, so I could make that my browser for these?

I dont know how to use a VPN, oh, just Googled it and its interesting, but alas, I would have no use for it. And the BBCiPlayer can now be viewed with an iPhone app, but I wont bother with it..

One more question, I am certainly learning a lot here! And I thank you for your time explaining all of this.

If I only use the 1 windsurf Java site once a day, and the German weather one once a month, is the time that the browser on those sites, the ONLY time that my system is vulnerable?

And I got an answer from windsurf that they will be updating their certificate. So if a Java certificate is updated and 'secure', is it then OK for people to use their site?

Thanks again,

Jane

My wifi is private and we are rural, and Comcast cable, so no problem there. But I do use Flash and Java, so I probably better give your instructions some serious thought. Though Ive used these for years with no problem.

I hardly ever use Opera, so I could make that my browser for these?

Yes you can use Opera, personally I'd use a second browser you are comfortable with, otherwise it's painful to relearn how to do things in it 🙂

I dont know how to use a VPN, oh, just Googled it and its interesting, but alas, I would have no use for it. And the BBCiPlayer can now be viewed with an iPhone app, but I wont bother with it..

Public wifi or roaming users are reasons for getting a VPN connection or needing to access a corporate network securley.

If I only use the 1 windsurf Java site once a day, and the German weather one once a month, is the time that the browser on those sites, the ONLY time that my system is vulnerable?

Most probably, it's possible an email could contain a link to a malicious Java site, but that seems unlikley IMO. Think as Java in your browser like leaving window open in a house, it's usually OK when you are home, but don't go on holiday with it left open 🙂.

And I got an answer from windsurf that they will be updating their certificate. So if a Java certificate is updated and 'secure', is it then OK for people to use their site?

Yes using https should cause the traffic from you to the website server to be encrypted, it's better than plain old http. https means 'secure http', it's OK as long as the certificate is valid & trusted - like you should see on Amazon or any other large commerce site. Remeber to change the setting in the allowed sites when you see the site start using https.

Great info, youve explained it well.

Just one question, how to change the setting once they start using https?

Jane

Just remove it from the exceptions (or add the https://blahblah url if it fails to work).

OK, will do that.

I wonder if the other people who started this interesting thread, were able to get their stuff working.

Hope so.

Is there a way to see if a site uses Flash or Java? I watch a lot of weather animation stuff and never had trouble seeing anything or being warned on my older Macs, Just this new one with Mavericks.

I guess I could look at the code, but most of these weather sites have enormous amounts of code.

Check this one out, impressive, wonder how Ivan coded that.

http://61226.com/share/hk.swf

done with Flash, any problems viewing things like this on a Mac?

Hi all,

Does Apple removed Java setting from System preferences?

I can't see the JAVA icon and I need it to change security setting from my java http://www.java.com/en/download/help/jcp_security.xml#control panel

will appreciate any help