No more JAVA

[deleted-2]

Me was thinking it may be better to get rid of Java on the Win PCs I use most.

Has anyone else here done it and seen any goofy issues with browsers or other stuff like Adobe software problems running under Windows.

Been reading about the Java vulnerabilities for a year now and it seems like the push is really on to do away with it.
Flash on mobile devices went thru the same ordeal and was pretty much killed of also.

[SCVJeff]

2hams wrote:
Jeff - what version does the FCC require? We use QRZ or other similar online callsign lookup services. Also AARL will help with license renewal.


I am surprised that the apps require a specific version. It must be hard coded. This is the browser plugin, right?


My experience was that most apps are upward compatible (I.e., higher versions OK). There were some things in the software we developed under version 1.1 that needed to be changed by about version 4.x.


Also there are ways to write secure JavaScript (for the browser) but most developers are probably too lazy or more likely unaware of the techniques. We used these for military apps.

Dunno, I'll have to look. All's I know is that I tried to be a good little Boy Scout and update as required, and I got shut out for weeks while looking for the correct version.

It's the government......

[wittmeba]

Java is fine. It is now implemented like Adobe Flash. With Firefox you have the same options to Always Activate, Never Activate or Ask to Activate which gives you the option when visiting a page with a Java Applet to use on demand. You have control.

There aren't to many Java sites but if you are a gamer you will likely need Java activated.

[Campfire_Time]

Removing JAVA is probably one of the single best security things you can do. I removed JAVA from my home PCs and have not run into any issues. I'm working on a project at work right now to remove JAVA from 1200 PCs. We've been testing and so far no ill effects.

If you find you do need JAVA, uninstall all versions, then only install the latest secure version. Then keep up with it. Use Secunia's free software to scan for vulnerable software and help keep JAVA up to date and secure.

You may also want to remove Acrobat Reader and replace it with PDF Xchange Viewer. While it does occasionally has vulnerabilities, Tracker Software is quick to patch them.

[wa8yxm]

I have disabled most all plug ins on my Firefox.. If I need to, for example, watch a You Tube video I either download and watch "offline" or use MSIE (Which is still fully enabled)

Seems to work better that way and sure cuts down on ye old bandwidth since it won't even download videos by default.

[2hams]

Jeff - what version does the FCC require? We use QRZ or other similar online callsign lookup services. Also AARL will help with license renewal.


I am surprised that the apps require a specific version. It must be hard coded. This is the browser plugin, right?


My experience was that most apps are upward compatible (I.e., higher versions OK). There were some things in the software we developed under version 1.1 that needed to be changed by about version 4.x.


Also there are ways to write secure JavaScript (for the browser) but most developers are probably too lazy or more likely unaware of the techniques. We used these for military apps.

[NCWriter]

SCR wrote:
I dumped Java a year ago and haven't missed it at all

X2. Read an article in USA Today suggesting that action, deleted it, have never noticed any difference.

[SCR]

I dumped Java a year ago and haven't missed it at all

[SCVJeff]

Wish I could, but the FCC on-line database and licensing services require Java, and once one specific, non-supported flavor.

Go figure

[deleted-2]

Thanx for the reply!

Just uninstalled and I don't see any ill effects yet.
I know it will trash the little applets that HP, Nvidia and and few other hardware driver sites need to check hardware driver versions.

[1492]

I just disable JAVA plugin in my browser, but need it every so often on a few occasions for some specialized functions. However, uninstalling JAVA should have no effect on browsing itself.