Chuck,
I finally drank the Kool-Aid. I disabled the current Java and checked to
see that both of the financial sites that I use still work properly. Will
see if anything shows problems in the next few days. Thanks!
Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Norcutt" <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: [OM] How to disable Java on your Windows computer (version 2)
> And hopefully disabled? Oracle says this is the fixed version. Don't
> believe it. There have been at least two formal bug reports of the same
> sort that occasioned the release of V7 u11 against v7 u11. The author
> of those bug reports says he suspects there are many more.
>
> In short, Java is a mess at the moment. Don't trust if further than you
> have to. Like to buy a v7 u11 exploit for $5000?
> <http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/01/16/less-than-24-hours-after-last-patch-criminals-were-selling-a-new-java-exploit-for-5000-per-buyer/>
> Get 'em while they're hot.
>
> Chuck Norcutt
>
>
> On 1/26/2013 9:28 PM, Jim Nichols wrote:
>> Chuck,
>>
>> Many thanks! My last removal item hung up, but I finally got it all
>> done,
>> and have the latest version installed.
>>
>> Jim Nichols
>> Tullahoma, TN USA
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Chuck Norcutt" <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: "Olympus mail list" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 6:59 PM
>> Subject: [OM] How to disable Java on your Windows computer (version 2)
>>
>>
>>> Note: This is a revised version of instructions I previously wrote on
>>> how to disable Java on your Windows computer. The instructions as
>>> originally written might not work properly if you already had certain
>>> older versions of Java on your computer. Even if you installed the
>>> latest version the older version might mask the presence of the latest
>>> one. To make matters worse the Java control panel on the older version
>>> has a different appearance and doesn't match the instructions. Sorry if
>>> any of this caused you some confusion. Let's try again.
>>>
>>>
>>> BACKGROUND OF THE JAVA PROBLEM
>>> Java is a programming language supported by Oracle Corp. that is
>>> commonly used in internet browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox,
>>> Chrome and others. Java is one of many "extensions" or "plug-ins" that
>>> provide added function to the browser.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, older and current versions of Java have a security
>>> defect that will allow malicious "malware" to quietly take over control
>>> of your computer. You will never know it happened because it has no
>>> obvious characteristics and current anti-virus software is unlikely to
>>> find the possibly hundreds or thousands of variations of malware that
>>> will likely spring up to take advantage of the defect. Some are already
>>> for sale on the internet to anyone who'd like to steal your information
>>> or otherwise take surreptitious control of your computer.
>>>
>>> To be clear, the Java "problem" is not a virus... Java itself is a good
>>> thing when it works as it's supposed to. Rather the Java "problem" is
>>> that it's a security "hole" in Java that can allow a virus and other
>>> types of malware to sneak onto your computer. The analogy is really too
>>> simple but, if you considered Java like one of many gates in a fence
>>> protecting your computer, the Java "problem" is that the Java gate has a
>>> hole in it.
>>>
>>> The solution it to disable Java until a safe version is available (which
>>> some say could take as long as 2 years). But do be aware that some
>>> internet sites you presently use may no longer work or work properly if
>>> they are dependent on Java. For example, my wife Peg uses a crossword
>>> puzzle website to print a weekly puzzle. The site is:
>>> <http://www.sundaycrosswords.com/ccpuz/MPuz.php> If Java is disabled,
>>> as soon as you visit this site you will be presented with a big gray
>>> square with a message stating that "A plug-in is needed to display this
>>> content". It then offers to install the plug-in for you. It doesn't
>>> tell you but the plug-in is Java. Do *not* accept the invitation. Even
>>> if you actually do want to use this site it's not necessary to
>>> re-install Java. You just need to return to the Java control panel to
>>> re-enable it.
>>>
>>> The question is... should you re-enable it to use this or some other web
>>> site you like? If it's this site the answer is no. It's not worth the
>>> risk to print a free cross-word puzzle. It's especially true for this
>>> website since, if you do re-enable Java for this site the next thing you
>>> see is another message asking you if it's OK to run this application. If
>>> you see a message like this then say "no" and quit the website. The
>>> reason for the permission message is that the application did not
>>> present adequate security credentials that would identify who created
>>> it. In simpler words... it cannot be trusted because it's asking for
>>> access to your computer and hard drive but can't or won't identify
>>> itself according to internet security standards.
>>>
>>> But what if the website you're trying to use is your bank and the
>>> banking application you normally use won't run because Java is disabled.
>>> That's a harder question. If you really need to use it I would call
>>> the bank. Express your concern for the Java security problem and ask if
>>> their Java application is safe to use. If they say "yes" then re-enable
>>> Java and give it a try. But, if you see the same type of pop-up message
>>> asking permission to run, then stop believing the bank. It's quite
>>> possible that their web site has been infected with an imposter
>>> application that can't identify its owner as your bank. Let's hope that
>>> doesn't happen... but it might.
>>>
>>> =====================================================================
>>> So, on to how to disable Java
>>> =====================================================================
>>>
>>> (1) The first step to disabling Java is to display the Windows Control
>>> panel
>>>
>>> For Windows XP: Click on "Start" (at lower left corner) then "Settings"
>>> then "Control Panel"
>>>
>>> For Windows 7: Click on "Start" (the circular Windows icon at lower
>>> left corner) then "Control Panel". At upper right you will see a pull
>>> down menu "View by: Category". Click on "Category" and then on "Large
>>> Icons" in the pull down menu items. This will display all of the
>>> control panel icons rather than just the categories of items.
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> (2) The second step is to remove any and all old versions of Java.
>>>
>>> For Windows XP: Double-click on the "Add or Remove Programs" icon
>>>
>>> For Windows 7: Click on the "Programs and Features" icon
>>>
>>> These are simply different names for the same thing. For both versions
>>> Windows will display a long list of all the programs installed on your
>>> computer. Be patient.. it may take several minutes to display the
>>> entire list on older computers.
>>>
>>> Once the list is displayed (in alphabetical order) scroll down the list
>>> looking for anything whose name starts with "Java". If the only thing
>>> you see is called "Java 7 Update 11" you already have (as of 1/26/2013)
>>> the latest version of Java and can jump ahead to Step 3.
>>>
>>> Any Java item you see whose version number is less than 7 is old and
>>> needs to be deleted by "uninstalling" it. Even if the version number is
>>> also 7 but has an update number less than 11 it's also old and needs to
>>> be uninstalled. It's possible there may be several of these old Java
>>> entries. For each one to be removed start first by selecting it with a
>>> single click. After the click:
>>>
>>> For Windows XP: You will see a small, highlighted information panel
>>> displayed for the entry. It usually consists of several lines. At the
>>> lower right corner of the panel will be a button labeled "Remove". Click
>>> the "Remove" button and that particular Java entry will be uninstalled.
>>>
>>> For Windows 7: Perform a right click on the Java line item you want to
>>> remove. You will see a tiny pop-up item labeled "Uninstall". Click on
>>> the "Uninstall" item and the Java entry will be uninstalled. Also for
>>> Windows 7 you may see another pop-up panel asking you to verify whether
>>> you agree to removing this program. Click "Yes" to continue.
>>>
>>> Now do the same for any other Java items you see listed *unless* it's
>>> "Java 7 Update 11" (or possibly a later version with higher numbers)
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> (3) The third step. Once all old Java items have been uninstalled you
>>> can return to the detailed control panel icon display.
>>>
>>> For Windows XP: Click on the "X" in the upper right corner of the
>>> programs listing window. The window will close and reveal the control
>>> panel icons window underneath.
>>>
>>> For Windows 7: Click on the blue and white "back arrow" (<-) at upper
>>> left. This will return you to the "All Control Panel Items" display.
>>>
>>> Next, for both Windows versions:
>>>
>>> Now that the control panel icons are displayed look for one called
>>> "Java" (the icon is a red, white and blue steaming cup of coffee). If
>>> you do find a Java control panel icon it should be for the Java 7 update
>>> 11 version or later. That's the one we said we could keep back in step
>>> 2. That doesn't mean it's safe but, if you have one of these later
>>> versions of Java, you can skip ahead to step 5.
>>>
>>> (4) Step 4 is in case you don't see a Java Control panel icon in the
>>> Windows control panel. It means that you have successfully removed all
>>> Java versions. But, in order to continue, it's necessary to update to
>>> the (still dangerous) latest level which can be found here:
>>> <http://www.java.com/en/download/inc/windows_new_xpi.jsp?locale=en>
>>>
>>> Click on the link above (which takes you to the Java download page) and
>>> then on the red "Install" button on the Java download page. You will be
>>> prompted for a place to save the installation file. Remember where you
>>> put it since, after the download completes, you must find the file and
>>> double click on its name to cause it to install the latest version of
>>> Java.
>>>
>>> After the installation completes you should exit your browser and
>>> restart it. This allows the browser to note that a later version of
>>> Java has been installed. This latest version of Java will install the
>>> missing Java control panel which is required to perform step 5. You can
>>> now continue with the instructions below and use the newly installed
>>> Java control panel to disable what you just installed. Yes, that's
>>> right... to disable what you just installed.
>>>
>>> (5) Step 5. Return to the Windows control panel and to the Java control
>>> panel within it (see Step 1 above). We want to click on the Java control
>>> panel icon to cause the Java control panel to open.
>>>
>>> For Windows XP: Double click the Java control panel icon.
>>>
>>> For Windows 7: A single click is enough
>>>
>>> Be patient, the Java control panel can be a bit sluggish in responding.
>>> When it finally opens you will see 5 tabs at top. Click on the
>>> "Security" tab and then (at the top) *uncheck* the box next to "Enable
>>> Java content in the browser" by clicking on the box. After turning the
>>> check mark off click on "Apply" (at lower right) and then click on "OK".
>>> If you are running Windows 7 it may pop up a couple of "Are you sure
>>> you want to do this" sort of warning messages. Say "Yes". You're done.
>>> Java is disabled for all browsers.
>>>
>>> If you need to re-enable Java (for example, to use your banking
>>> application) then return to the Windows and Java control panels (Step 1)
>>> and repeat the instructions above (Step 5) but click the check mark
>>> again to turn Java back on. Don't forget to click "apply" and "OK" to
>>> actually make it happen. When you get through with your bank or other
>>> extremely important application (so important you're willing to take a
>>> risk)... remember to turn Java off again.
>>> =====================================================================
>>>
>>> Chuck Norcutt
>>> Jan 26, 2013
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
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