Too Much Java Can Be Bad

Date: 2011-05-12 07:46:14

By: Ken Klein, Healthy Passwords
May 11, 2011 8:21 PM EST

Recent reports of another Java based worm abound. This worm can take over your computer giving perpetrators access to see your screen, move your mouse, turn on your webcam, or do many other things. This program can conceivably affect Mac and Linux users.

This is a good reason to improve your online security. Ask yourself, do I need Java on my computer? Most people don't know. There is one way to find out: Remove it. Any program needing it will either install it again, or tell you. In the process you will eliminate older insecure versions.

To uninstall java from windows, follow this procedure: Oracle's Uninstall Procedures for Windows .

Java notoriously leaves older, less-secure copies behind. The safest way to find old copies of Java is by using Secunia PSI. See Healthy Passwords, Patching Popular Software Vulnerabilities Article for more information on Secunia PSI. You will also find a YouTube video there showing how to install and use PSI.

Mac users have no easy way to remove Java. In October 2010, Apple announced they will remove Java from future versions of OS-X, but the details are incomplete. At this time, java is still part of OS-X.

Ken Klein is Author of Healthy Passwords, a book teaching non-technical people how to make strong, memorable passwords. Learn more at http://www.healthypasswords.com/

Category: Malware

Subcategory: Worms