On Thursday, January 10, 2013 the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning (http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/625617) to computer users to disable or uninstall Java software due to a serious vulnerability found in Java 7 that could allow malicious software and malware to be installed on your machines without your consent.
However, over the weekend Oracle, the owners of Java, released an update that addressed the major vulnerabilities in the application and changed the default security level of Java to High, so that users will be prompted before running unsigned Java applets.
It is recommended that if you are running Java 7 to install this update as soon as possible. The update can be found here on Java’s website –http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp.
To check if you are running Java 7, please follow these steps:
For Windows Vista/7 Users:
- Click Start
- Select Control Panel
- Select Programs then click Programs and Features
- Scroll down the list to find Java. If your Java says, “Java 7 or Java (TM) 7” you need to install this update.
For Windows XP Users:
- Click Start
- Select Control Panel
- Select Add or Remove Programs
- Scroll down the list to find Java. If your Java says, “Java 7 or Java (TM) 7” you need to install this update.
Although this is a patch to fix the major security holes, it is still recommended that you disable Java even after applying the Update, but understand that this could have an adverse effect on some business applications. If you find that your application is not running correctly re-enable Java, but make sure you have the update applied.
Instructions on how to disable Java can be found here: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/disable_browser.xml
Click here to read more about the Java Vulnerability: http://www.zdnet.com/homeland-security-warns-to-disable-java-amid-zero-day-flaw-7000009713/?s_cid=e589
If you have any questions on whether your business application runs Java or require assistance getting Java updated please feel free to contact us by email at support@intecit.com or by phone toll free at 877-757-2804.
