Security Benefits of disabling Java?

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Level 1

19 points

Security Benefits of disabling Java?

Are there any security benefits to disabling "Java SE 6" in the Java Preferences App? Or would this be more of an inconvenience to browsing than an actual benefit to security?
Are there any other default settings that can be changed in Java Preferences App that would make my Mac more secure?

I am running OS X 10.6.8. I have already unchecked "Allow user to grant permissions to content from an untrusted authority. Also I have already disabled Java in all of my browsers.

iMac (20-inch Early 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.8), None

Posted on Nov 18, 2018 11:30 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Nov 18, 2018 11:39 AM in response to Guest_9

There is no more support for the Java you are using. So turning it off or even uninstalling it would be a good idea assuming you don't have need of it.

How to disable the Java web plug-in in Safari

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Nov 20, 2018 10:33 AM in response to Guest_9

Yes. Java is known to have security holes that have to be plugged. Does not mean you are constantly bombarded by hackers but that Java is not fully secured.

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,305 points

Nov 18, 2018 11:35 AM in response to Guest_9

Based on what I have read, Java has some security vulnerabilities. When I was using 10.6, I couldn't find a way to improve security. I uninstalled Java and never missed it.

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Nov 18, 2018 7:19 PM in response to Guest_9

I don't know if you need Java, but if you don't then shut it off. Some sites use Java, particularly, game sites. If you use these sites then you will need Java active.

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Answer 5

Guest_9 Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 18, 2018 2:58 PM in response to Kappy

Years ago, I disabled Java and all other plug-ins from Safari 5.1.10. Lately, I have been using Firefox ESR which I have also disabled Java for.

What your recommending is to uncheck and disable both Java SE 6s from the Java Preference Panel?

If I have Java disabled for browsers does it even matter what the settings in the Java Preference App are?

Is there any good anti-malware software for Snow Leopard considering it's so old? I only browse https:// sites.

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Answer 6

Guest_9 Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 18, 2018 11:41 AM in response to Guest_9

Won't disabling "Java SE 6" reduce or limit your browsers ability to view certain webpages? Just wondering.

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Nov 18, 2018 7:18 PM in response to Guest_9

I don't know that there is much for anti-malware, but you might check Malwarebytes to see if it's compatible.

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Answer 8

Guest_9 Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 19, 2018 5:19 AM in response to Kappy

Does YouTube use Java SE?

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Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Nov 19, 2018 11:08 AM in response to Guest_9

I don't know. I wouldn't think so but I'm not a YouTube user.

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Answer 10

Guest_9 Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 19, 2018 2:40 PM in response to Kappy

Well, I will turn them off for now and see how this works out. Does this really make my computer more secure?

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Answer 11

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Nov 18, 2018 11:44 AM in response to Guest_9

Yes, it will do that. But if those websites are looking to hack the computer using Java vulnerabilities, then you may need to also run some kind of anti-malware software compatible with Snow Leopard.

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Security Benefits of disabling Java?

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