850M PCs with Deceptive Java Security
Oracle has reached a settlement with the FTC over charges that it had been deceptively promoting security updates for its Java SE platform.
Oracle Agrees to Settle FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About Java Software Updates
Company Will Be Required to Notify Consumers of Risk, Provide Tools to Uninstall Insecure Older Versions (12/21/2015)
Oracle has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived consumers about the security provided by updates to its Java Platform, Standard Edition software (Java SE), which is installed on more than 850 million personal computers. Under the terms of a proposed consent order, Oracle will be required to give consumers the ability to easily uninstall insecure, older versions of Java SE.
—https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2015/12/oracle-agrees-settle-ftc-charges-it-deceived-consumers-about-java
Why does it matter? Earlier versions of Java had serious security risks that hackers could exploit to steal login information for people’s financial accounts, and to gather other sensitive information through phishing attacks. As long as these older versions remain on a computer, hackers could continue to exploit them.Today, the FTC announced a proposed settlement that would require Oracle to notify Java users about the problem and provide tools to fix it. To remove old versions of Java from your computer, visit java.com/uninstall, or follow one of the steps below:
*Update to Java 8 through the official Java website
*Use the uninstall tool on Java’s website
*Visit Oracle’s Help Resources for more options and information.—http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/whats-worse-stale-coffee-stale-java
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Jose Arellano that's true. not being able to use what they don't know about i mean. i've never heard of it myself until now either!
I have PC Matic, beats em all!
Arizona Marek There is even Unchecky that does it for them, but they need to know about it. XD
Ron Gregory I agree that McAffee sucks, but I recommend Emsisoft's Anti-Malware over Malwarebytes.
This is a complete ruse…to have consumers install Java 8 which completely controls one’s computer, and you can’t get the old Java back nor uninstall…do not download!!
Daniel Cohen It's free because it sucks! If it doesn't do the job, what good is it? You are better off with one of the other free products including MS.
I just tried to verify what version I had. I was quite sure I had the latest since it always auto updates.
It turns out Windows, Microsoft or maybe my AVG security has completely uninstalled Java off my computer without my permission!!!
I’m dumbfounded. Now I know why certain softwares I regularly use have stopped working.
Now i have to find the time to go through the whole bloody process again.
good idea but it is part of my package with U-verse so it's free
Get rid of mcaffee as soon as possible. Malwarebytes pro is cheaper and does a WAY better job of keeping you protected
@Ron Gregory: MWB is not so good, they are now aligned with Microsoft W10 and their lack of privacy
too bad more people can't seem to figure that out.
As with most software updates, it's necessary to check (a pun) the various boxes. If you click NEXT-NEXT-NEXT, you will get what they want to send to you. During the install, "uncheck" anything that you don't want. That would include pointing to the "disk drive" where Java should be installed.
yahoo only installs if you don’t uncheck the box .
read read read
Java sucks! They have now bundled Yahoo into their install. I use McAfee for automatic software updates so when it downloaded the java update my search engine became Yahoo….the worst as it if filled with ads…Had to waist time on removing the java and using adwcleaner get it off my computers
Java sucks! They have now bundled Yahoo into their install. I use McAfee for automatic software updates so when it downloaded the java update my search engine became Yahoo….the worst as it if filled with ads…Had to waist time on removing the java and using adwcleaner get it off my compurters