Java updates

[mich]

I have Java updates waiting to be installed, now I am probably wrong but I thought I read in some thread that you had to be careful about installing these as they can cause problems?

 

[Vistaar]

Hello mich. If you are using a Java browser plugin, then I would recommend that you install updates promptly for security reasons. Java has been the target of many, many exploits in recent years. The real question is not whether you need Java updates, but whether you need Java at all. I haven't had Java installed on this PC for about 5 years. You might try disabling Java in your browsers just to see if it causes any real inconvenience at websites you frequently visit. You might find that it does not. If Firefox is your main browser now, open Add-ons and see if Java is set to Ask to Activate (probably the default setting, but I'm not certain since I do not have Java installed). If that is your setting, how many times has a trusted website actually required you to activate Java? The only other setting worth considering is Never Activate. I would never, ever set Java to Always Activate! The last time I remember Java being suggested to me was at the Nvidia website. If you have Java enabled, it can automatically suggest the right driver for your graphics card. However since I know what graphics card and operating system I have, I was able to find the right driver on my own without installing Java. If you are convinced that you need to have Java enabled for your web browsing, then you should consider the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit for added protection.

 

[mich]

I am still with FF and up to now no further problems Java is not activated so I will leave well alone. Thanks.

 

[ilikefree]

You should always have Java up to date if you have it installed.