Small Business | Forum « Java 7 Security Flaw: To Delete or NOT Delete? What Say You?

Java 7 Security Flaw: To Delete or NOT Delete? What Say You? (6 posts)

Topic tags: computer security, computer virus, hacker, Java 7 Security

Robin Carlisle said
4 months, 1 week ago:
Java 7 Security Flaw: To Delete or NOT Delete? What Say You?
Not knowing exactly what the heckledoodles this does and what deleting it will do, I’m not sure what to do?
Since this is Oracle, will this affect Open Office? (To me, it’s been screwed up ever siince they took it over… JMHO).
And I heavily use video… will this effect that?
Or is this something I need to do quickly regardless of the outcome ot my own personal computing needs?
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/01/11/169156325/computer-users-should-disable-java-7-due-to-security-flaw-experts-say?ft=1&f=100
Jules, Mac, Eileen… and any other computer experts want to chime in here?
@atlantarobin | # | Top
Diane Coville said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@atlantarobin I would be interested in the answer to this too! Originally I read this post from ZNet: http://zd.net/ULcLtu.
If you scroll down and read the comments there seems to be confusion about whether we are referring to Java or Javascript.
I work with sites that work with Java which means I wouldn’t be able to use/get to their sites unless I have Java enabled and apparently, according to this post, there are a huge number of sites work with Java.
Someone advised me to check my anti-virus software and see if it is protected from this virus – if not, I have to take my chances.
Hoping someone can clarify this?

@dcoville001 | # | Top
E N Brown said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@atlantarobin @dcoville001
Hi Ladies – since your post Diane an update has appeared at the same website —
Java Security Flaw Is Repaired; Experts Still Recommend Disabling It
I have not done anything about this as yet but will be figuring out what needs to be done soon. I need to check our machines here and see what’s what.
Eileen
@supereb | # | Top
E N Brown said
4 months, 1 week ago:
@dcoville001 @atlantarobin
I went ahead and disabled Java on the machine I am using now — there are directions at the link I posted. All you’ll have to do is enable later if you’ve updated your Java version. If you notice anything not running, you can enable and upgrade at any time.
Eileen
@supereb | # | Top
Robin Carlisle said
4 months ago:
I uninstalled Java (not JavaScript). That’s the same day, I think, that I could NOT get logged in to SME’s Networking Clubs, which was the day AFTER SME’s “malware” ad alert. Actually, couldn’t get logged in for three days to the Clubs, until today.
So that night, I turned on my computer… and was on for less than 5 minutes when it suddenly cut off. Hit the on button, the screen was black, and up came the dreaded SAFE screen. It said this could be caused by having added or deleted software. Yep, I deleted Java7
Tried to log on… nothing… it cut off.
On again… same dreaded screen… now it starts running numbers and gives me a message I couldn’t read quickly enough… only making out the “crash dump” part before my heart went thump and the computer cut off again. Did the same thing several more times, whether clicking on “open in Safe Mode” or open normally or whatever… and each time the same “crash dump” message flashes on the screen, but closes too quickly to read the whole thing.
I quickly took my laptop to my local expert… my teenage computer genius upstairs… Jonah turned it on, up came Windows, no bizarre message, like nothing ever happened…(Jonah communicates with laptops telepathically. He’s gifted that way)… and all’s been well since… or at least not problematic. And finally got on SME’s Networking Clubs today, too.
Wwwwwwwoooooooo! Almost had a heart attack when that happened!
What the heckledoodles is a “crash dump?” Alas, I do NOT have security software on this particular laptop. I know, ‘tupid me! Gotta get some. What’s that freebie one? AVS? Or something like that? Don’t have moula to spare right now. Anyone know of free ones online?
Robin Carlisle
@supereb @dcoville001
@atlantarobin | # | Top
E N Brown said
4 months ago:
HI @atlantarobin —
Are you running any version of Windows as your OS? If so, which one? It might be Windows 7, XP or Vista.

Not completely up on this right now but I think there are three kinds of crash dumps: – small memory, complete memory and kernel memory. Not that this really matters, just FYI. This is an attempt to capture info. regarding the state of the OS in the event of a system crash. Windows does this however, dumps happen when you have a total system failure and are not due to one app. failure. So, you probably had some other problem to begin with.

The screen you observed is the BSOD (blue [or black] screen of death) and it scares the Ga-hoo-bees out of everyone. This originated with um, Windows 95 (??? if I remember correctly). Shows you how far Windows has come (not that far).

You need to run a complete system cleaner and for cripes sake get some security software – NOW.

Ask your son what to use and have him install it for you.

I use PCTools Registry Mechanic each and every day and also run PCTools anti-virus software. I run a complete system scan each and every Sunday (and it takes quite a bit of time too) but this helps keep the system on my everyday small laptop working fairly well.

Eileen

@supereb | # | Top