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Eugene

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66. Oracle Corp to fix Java security flaw "shortly"

Sat Jan 12, 2013, 02:58 PM

Jan 2013

Source: Reuters

Oracle Corp to fix Java security flaw "shortly"

By Jim Finkle
BOSTON | Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:15pm EST

(Reuters) - Oracle Corp said it is preparing an update to address a flaw in its widely used Java software after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security urged computer users to disable the program in web browsers because criminal hackers are exploiting a security bug to attack PCs.

"A fix will be available shortly," the company said in a statement released late on Friday.

Company officials could not be reached on Saturday to say how quickly the update would be available for the hundreds of millions of PCs that have Java installed.

The Department of Homeland Security and computer security experts said on Thursday that hackers figured out how to exploit the bug in a version of Java used with Internet browsers to install malicious software on PCs. That has enabled them to commit crimes from identity theft to making an infected computer part of an ad-hoc computer network that can be used to attack websites.

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Kill that Java plugin now! New 0-day exploit running wild online [View all] Bosonic Jan 2013 OP

This says "PCs". Does that include Macs too, or not? ~nt 99th_Monkey Jan 2013 #1

very probably Bosonic Jan 2013 #2

how do you disable java Voice for Peace Jan 2013 #4

There's a link at the bottom of the article Bosonic Jan 2013 #6

ok thanks - it doesn't mention Macs -- but under my Firefox preferences for content Voice for Peace Jan 2013 #24

Apple Blocks Java 7 Plug-in on OS X to Address Widespread Security Threat KareBear Jan 2013 #47

ooh goody, thanks Voice for Peace Jan 2013 #64

Um, aren't there ALWAYS zero day viruses out there? FreeBC Jan 2013 #3

Yes William Seger Jan 2013 #23

All the links on the Register article enlightenment Jan 2013 #5

It's a new version of an old problem muriel_volestrangler Jan 2013 #8

Ah. Thanks. enlightenment Jan 2013 #16

'Preciate the heads up. nt cbrer Jan 2013 #7

What can this actually DO to my PC? pscot Jan 2013 #9

Right now it's being used to distribute the Reveton malware. Xithras Jan 2013 #48

I don't browse random free porno sites etc. CountAllVotes Jan 2013 #54

Thanks for responding pscot Jan 2013 #59

Great post, ty! Earth Bound Misfit Jan 2013 #67

Thank you! MynameisBlarney Jan 2013 #10

Like most articles of this ilk.. sendero Jan 2013 #11

Good point. What ARE the implications of turning off Java? Jim Lane Jan 2013 #13

There are a lot of game you need Java for. RebelOne Jan 2013 #19

But that would apply only to games you access through a browser, right? Jim Lane Jan 2013 #20

If I turn off Java on my phone some of the tabs on DU don't work Turborama Jan 2013 #21

Many sites run java applications and plugins. defacto7 Jan 2013 #26

Thank you for this. Squinch Jan 2013 #12

One more reason we geezers have a love hate think with these internet machines. I keep .... marble falls Jan 2013 #14

I'd go with getting the noscripts plug-in for firefox and not clicking on any unknown links. pam4water Jan 2013 #15

that's what I do, but it's too complicated for normals. FreeBC Jan 2013 #17

Why do I even NEED Java on my computer?? What does it actually do for me?? kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #18

Almost certainly nothing Ratty Jan 2013 #22

I did. And because I can't remember even a day later how I did it, I can't turn it back on. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #55

I'm all for turning it off but, defacto7 Jan 2013 #27

If you play games on different sites, you need Java. n/t RebelOne Jan 2013 #53

I don't. I only play the mahjongg that came with Windows 7. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #56

I play at only one game site and some of the games cannot be played without Java. n/t RebelOne Jan 2013 #65

There is nothing in this post SCVDem Jan 2013 #25

Except for the one above. defacto7 Jan 2013 #28

I just had to reinstall Windows the other day freeplessinseattle Jan 2013 #29

Information help, Please left on green only Jan 2013 #30

No relation at all ... 66 dmhlt Jan 2013 #31

Many thanks for your turning me on to something that is better left on green only Jan 2013 #36

FWIW...the free Calibre program has a great reader in it, too. dixiegrrrrl Jan 2013 #40

There is a malware posing as an Adobe reader update. Coyotl Jan 2013 #33

Many thanks for your thoughtful information left on green only Jan 2013 #35

Major reason I disable pop up windows in my browsers. dixiegrrrrl Jan 2013 #41

Experts advice disabling of Java browser plugin steve2470 Jan 2013 #32

On DU, disabling Java will stop MineralMan Jan 2013 #34

I disabled it in FoxFire, and wasn't able to respond to a DU jury service request without it. DeschutesRiver Jan 2013 #50

Are you guys disabling Java or JavaScript? bananas Jan 2013 #62

Turns out I'd disabled javascript, not Java. DeschutesRiver Jan 2013 #63

U.S. warns on Java software as security concerns escalate Bosonic Jan 2013 #37

crap! i need it for work. govt websites critical to my job run on java. ellenfl Jan 2013 #38

yes Bosonic Jan 2013 #39

In Fire fox, go to dixiegrrrrl Jan 2013 #42

javascript != java Bosonic Jan 2013 #43

eerrkk....u r right.... dixiegrrrrl Jan 2013 #49

Firefox 17/18 blocked Java meow2u3 Jan 2013 #45

Java is disabled on my browser(s) RainDog Jan 2013 #44

Everyone make sure you're blocking JAVA, and not JAVASCRIPT Xithras Jan 2013 #46

thanks CountAllVotes Jan 2013 #52

Thanks, I didn't understand before that there was a difference. nt DeschutesRiver Jan 2013 #57

That was helpful, thanks! and-justice-for-all Jan 2013 #60

ugh CountAllVotes Jan 2013 #51

Thanks for the heads up....... nc4bo Jan 2013 #58

What about Ubuntu? n/t AverageJoe90 Jan 2013 #61

Oracle Corp to fix Java security flaw "shortly" Eugene Jan 2013 #66