Time to Boycott Java?

I have to keep Java alive and available because our tax authority bases its software on it and I am a CPA who works alone so one machine has to do everything. Once I had to throw out an entire computer because I updated Java and they didn't. Since then I only update it when my pet support techie does it for me...

maybe you could explain the difference between Java and JS (java script) which are both disable-able (?) independantly on FireFoxs add on. Which is worse? I know several things I use a lot, like Craigs list, require them.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I guess you missed the sidebar in the article, which gives a link to answer that question.

You convinced me before to dump it. I did so and have never looked back. If people read this article and don't heed your warnings, then they have no business complaining when they're compromised!

Here is an article from the Chicago Tribune, warning about java, January 2013.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-14/business/chi-homeland-security-urges-computer-users-to-disable-java-20130111_1_java-software-security-bugs-oracle

The bank I use requires Java to be installed and working to view statements and do online bankking.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yikes, what bank is that? (My local bank still has PCs running Windows XP, right out in the open.)

Is it the application program JaVA or are the individual programs written in Java. Is this a developer issue or platform issue?

EDITOR'S NOTE: The biggest problem is the Java applets for web browsers, written of course in the Java program language. Not entirely sure what you're asking.

You struck my pet peeve with the comment about the "ask.com" toolbar, which you have to be careful not to download and install while installing the Java security update. Another bad actor using the unwanted software download is Adobe. They update their Flash Player (which, unlike Java, almost everyone uses)fairly frequently and you have to be careful to not download and install the McAfee Security Scan software which is conveniently already checked for the unsuspecting.

Okay, here's your question-from-a-dummy for today. How would one know whether one is dealing with an "enterprise invested heavily in Java"?

EDITOR'S NOTE: What I meant was "If you ARE an enterprise invested heavily in Java." ie: A software developer

Like many people I was ambivalent about enabling JAVA until I chanced upon an article by a techie blogger I admire and respect (not unlike you) who gave similar advice contained in Carole's link and your recent article. These factors plus Oracle's apparent unwillingness to man up to the critiques convinced me to disable JAVA....best to be safe than sorry :)

Bob, in your last paragraph you say that "....you can enable Java for that rare exception". To me this means that where I have a rare exception, I need to have the LATEST Java installed but disabled on my computer, then be able to re-enable it for that exception. Wow, I guess I have a lot of reading to find out how to re-enable for a specific exception.

Java is to JavaScript as Crab is to CrabApple.

Hi, Bob. Having read your recent "Geekly Update" and learning that Oracle is suing Google and if successful, Oracle's action could hamper and possibly destroy open-source programs such as Android, I've disabled Java (I'm not sure what effects I'll notice in my browser, but I'll try it).

Bob, I had previously disabled Java and figured that it was completely disabled for all my accounts. When I went to Control Panel and searched for "Java Control Panel," I got the Java icon and clicked on it. The Security tab said that Java is disabled "for this user only." Uh oh. What about the Guest account? So I switched to the Guest Account and found the nasty check mark in place on the Security tab and immediately unchecked that box. So now Java is disabled for all of my browser accounts.

A rule to live by:
Whenever you find Java on a user's machine, ask: "What do you have that requires Java?" If the answer is "What's Java?" or "I don't know," uninstall it.
If a program or webpages needs Java, it'll tell you. Then make the decision if that program or webpage is worth the hassle of keeping Java updated. For me, the answer is always no.
Oh ... and you never need more than one copy of Java, my record is uninstalling 8 copies on one machine. You may need Revo Uninstaller, but it will uninstall!

I like to print Internet coupons, and there were a couple of coupon sites that still required Java, so I just decided to stop using those sites.

Recently, a cereal company who WAS using a "Java coupon printer" emailed their customers that they were switching to a different coupon printer and the subject line was "You spoke, we listened." Now I'm thinking I should email those other companies.

I dsabled Java months ago and have yet to miss it. Makes absolutely no difference; so much so that one wonders why it was developed in the first place.

Bob, you got me to thinking, with this article. I know, I know you have written about Java for years and the problems, it has. This time was different. You honestly said, that the good was out weighted, by the bad.

I remember, when Sun was a reliable and favored company, for Java. When Java, first came about, it was a new and innovative product. I guess, my first awareness of Java, was back in 1997 or 1998. Trust me, I didn't comprehend all of what I was reading, back then and I still, don't understand all of what Java can do ... Except, that I need to have it, for some games and other programs.

Today, it seems as though, Java is not as widely used, for many of the games and other programs. Why, I am saying this, I remember when installing games or programs, that Java was included, within the installing. I just don't see that Java is included, with the installing programs, these days.

My personal opinion, Oracle has done a bad job, of keeping up with Java's vulnerabilities and just doesn't seem to care, that much. Articles, that I have read, about this merger ... Oracle wanted Java to make money, for them. It seems, that was their end goal. As for Sun, I still wonder why, they sold Java? Did they foresee, the future? Knowing, that trying to keep up with security issues, was a forever, ongoing problem, that would never end.

Well, I completely uninstalled Java. I wanted to share with you and others, what was left in my Registry. I was using Revo Uninstaller Pro, to uninstall Java, the main Java program was used to "uninstall", then Revo gives you the results --- My results were: Keys 26; Values 23 --- I also, noted that one of the Keys was for Full Domain Access and Facebook was the one listed!!!

Just thought, I would share that bit of news, for those that wonder, just how "safe" Java, is these days. Facebook is becoming, mighty unsafe these days, in my book. It way too big and out of control. I honestly believe, that a lot of Foistware and Malware come down the pipeline, on Facebook, especially in the Application area for games and etc..

Dear Bob,
I disabled Java on my computer and my home page in Internet Explorer would not display many of the usual items. There were plenty of blank spaces on that home page. I have Windows 7, 64 bit. I can't say that I disabled Java and couldn't tell the difference.
I have also heard that another way to limit problems with Java is to disable the applets, but I don't know how to do that. Can you help with that?
Thanks for any help.
Nezzar

I leave it enabled at high security level, in case it's needed.

Kenny,
Thanks for the suggestion. I will give it a try.