Java by Oracle: Avoiding Virus Exploits

Java software is widely used to help display web pages and add features to web-sites. Java software is provided free, and integrates into Microsoft Internet Explorer and other web browsers, where it helps to display all of the features in a web-site.

However, Java software is also a frequent source of virus problems. Virus software programs will exploit and take advantage of features or limitations in the Java software, allowing a program to jump from a web-site and take control of a PC. This results in advertising or malware software infecting a PC.

Because Java software is widely used and installed on hundreds of millions of computers, it is the prime source of attacks by virus programmers.

What makes the Java exploit more significant than other problems is that the software and instructions for exploiting Java are available to rogue programmers in the form of an exploit kit. This kit allows a rogue programmer to add their particular virus or advertising to the exploit software. Rather than a single programmer discovering a software loophole and exploiting it for their own use, the Java exploit kits allow a wider group of rogue programmers to quickly unleash their malware.

Use these tips for avoiding a Java exploit problem:

1. Update Java often and run the latest version.
2. Remove old versions of Java using Windows add/remove programs.
3. Avoid clicking on advertisements or fake warning messages when visiting web pages.
4. Use Malwarebytes to scan and remove files that interfere with web browsing but aren’t detected by anti-virus software.

Unfortunately, Java software doesn’t remove older versions, so updating Java doesn’t always provide protection from viruses that exploit previously installed or older versions of Java. Using Windows add/remove programs (inside Control Panel) provides an option to list and remove older versions of Java software.

Java software for your computer, or the Java Runtime Environment, is also referred to as the Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, or Java download. Any of these names may be listed in the Windows add/remove programs and should be removed, leaving only one copy of Java.

Use this link to get the latest version of Java: http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Removing Java entirely is not recommended, since it will prevent many web-sites from working properly.

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2 Responses to Java by Oracle: Avoiding Virus Exploits

  1. Ariel says:

    Does is have to be the antivirus you mentioned? I’m using Unthreat Antivirus and I’d like to follow the steps you suggested. Would it work? Have you heard of it?

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