Disable Java in your web browser to help minimize its security vulnerabilities

Filed under: Archived,Computing Tips,Security - Jan 14 2013

In light of recent media attention to the security vulnerabilities in Java, it is recommended that you disable Java in your web browser to minimize the risk of infected websites using Java to access your computer. But you first need to check your current version of Java and update to the latest version in order to disable it.

1. Check your current version of Java and update if necessary. If the site doesn’t detect Java or gives an error message – it’s already disabled or not installed, so you don’t need to go to the next step.

Java logo2. How do I disable Java in my web browser?

If you do not see Java in your computer’s Control Panel, the Java Control Panel applet may be launched by finding and running javacpl.exe manually. This file is likely to be found in one of the following folders on your computer: C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin or C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin.

Java is used in very few websites. The most common websites that use Java on your computer in order to work properly include many game websites, 3D mapping, financial trading and business specific applications. If you need Java for a specific website, consider adopting a two-browser approach. If you normally browse the Web with Firefox, for example, consider disabling the Java plugin in Firefox, and then using an alternative browser (Chrome, IE9, Safari, etc.) with Java enabled to browse only the site(s) that require it.

 

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