Java popup after Yosemite install

Question

Level 2

455 points

Java popup after Yosemite install

I've seen some long discussions regarding this pop-up but I haven't found any solutions that seem to meet my situation. My apologies if there is one out there that I missed.

I just upgraded my MacBook tonight from Mavericks to Yosemite (10.10.3). Specifics:

MacBook Pro, 13-in, Late 2011

2.8 GHz i7

8 GB

After logging in for the first time, I continually get this pop-up:

I have no idea what "this Java application" refers to. The only item in my Login Items is Dropbox (which seems to work). I do not need to open any applications to get this message to start popping up.

Is there some way to determine which process is causing the pop-up? The frequency is about every eight seconds. It doesn't cause a new pop-up if I don't "OK" the existing box - it just refreshes it (or so it seems).

I understand that installing the SE 6 runtime isn't such a great idea, but if that is necessary at least temporarily - to debug this - I could do it.

All ideas / suggestions welcome. Thank you in advance!

Posted on Apr 19, 2015 8:15 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Apr 20, 2015 5:56 AM in response to jjkraw

Download and install Apple Java 2014-001.

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Answer 2

jjkraw Author

Level 2

455 points

Apr 20, 2015 5:24 AM in response to Kappy

OK, I've seen this suggestion elsewhere, with others chiming in that it is a security risk. So is there a more complete story?

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Answer 3

jjkraw Author

Level 2

455 points

Apr 20, 2015 5:59 AM in response to jjkraw

OK, I've installed the 2014-001 update and the pop-ups went away immediately. I still don't know what is trying to use Java and would appreciate any pointers to figure it out.

Also, I'd still like to know what the overall security picture is. I do have Java 8 Update 45 installed according to the Java Control Panel. Within that, I've unchecked the box "Enable Java content in the browser".

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Answer 4

Kurt Lang

Level 9

69,667 points

Apr 20, 2015 6:36 AM in response to jjkraw

The pop-up was being caused by something in your startup items that needs Java 6 to operate. Such as some of the Adobe CS6 apps (like Dreamweaver) and older versions. But there are other apps.

Java 6 would be more of a security issue than version 8 if it were allowed web access. However, newer versions of OS X will only allow version 8 to connect to your web browsers. And with the check box off for enabling browser content, Java 8 is not allowed to access web apps at all. That's where virtually all Java exploits are.

So don't worry about Java 6. Only those apps on your drive which need it to operate will use it.

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