[Newsbot]

Title: Department of Homeland Security advises computer users to disable Java
Category: Tech
Posted By: Curtman
Date: 2013-01-12 07:10:35

[Curtman]

$1:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is advising people to temporarily disable the Java software on their computers to avoid potential hacking attacks.

The recommendation came in an advisory issued late Thursday, following up on concerns raised by computer security experts.

Experts believe hackers have found a flaw in Java’s coding that creates an opening for criminal activity and other high-tech mischief.

Here is a good resource for learning about how to protect your computer:

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/08 ... a-browser/

[andyt]

Just did. Thanks Curt

[Freakinoldguy]

Glad I have nothing on my computer but old porn. a couple of games and some weird emails. But just to be on the safe side I disabled the Java applets.

I hope my mailman hasn't been hacked.

[Freakinoldguy]

Oracle says Java flaw, which Homeland Security warned about, will be fixed shortly

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ ... story.html

[DrCaleb]

Oracle releases emergency Java patch; experts warn flaws may take 2 years to fix

http://www.networkworld.com/community/b ... -years-fix

[Benn]

Nothing like bad Java in the mornings I agree!

[Public_Domain]

[Brenda]

Avast told me that it is only update 10 in Java 7 that is messed.

I use Jave 7, update 7...

[Strutz]

Brenda Brenda:

Avast told me that it is only update 10 in Java 7 that is messed.

I use Jave 7, update 7...

I have Java 7, update 9. My computer has been prompting me these last few days that an update is available which indicates to me that it is perhaps this update 10 that is messed up? I have been ignoring the prompt and will continue to do so assuming it is update 10 that it wants to do.

[herbie]

FFS go to Control Panel, Classic View, click Java, click update now.
Java's been a security hole for ages and I get five calls a week: THERE'S A POPUP ON MY COMPUTER!!! IT SAYS JAVA NEEDS TO UPDATE!!! SHOULD I CLICK YES OR NO???
DDDDDUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHH
Or disble it and limp along with part of the Internet. Most people think NetFlix and Facebook IS the Internet anyways....

[DrCaleb]

herbie herbie:

Most people think NetFlix and Facebook IS the Internet anyways....

Most think the Web is the Internet. Whadyagonnado?

[andyt]

Homeland security is still advising to disable Java, since there are likely more vulnerabilities to crop up. I've removed it from my computer and so far have not noticed any diff. Interesting also that hackers used Java to go after Macs.

[Freakinoldguy]

andyt andyt:

Homeland security is still advising to disable Java, since there are likely more vulnerabilities to crop up. I've removed it from my computer and so far have not noticed any diff. Interesting also that hackers used Java to go after Macs.

Impossible.

Mac's are impervious to all hackers, EMPs, viruses, trojans, worms, Bill Gates, the end of the world and unsaintly computer users.

I wonder how many of the Mac people didn't even pay attention to this warning because of the above sanctimonious attitude towards their machines?

[Curtman]

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/03/0 ... -settings/

$1:

This latest flaw was first discovered by security firm FireEye, which says it has already been used “to attack multiple customers.” The company has found that the flaw can be exploited successfully in browsers that have Java v1.6 Update 41 or Java v1.7 Update 15 installed, the latest versions of Oracle’s plugin.

This confirms the flaw is indeed a 0-day. For those who don’t know, “0-day” or “zero-day” refers to a security hole that has not been publicly disclosed yet, and so doesn’t have a patch available.

Get rid of this virus-enabler called Java if you haven't already.