Re: What are these mToolkit programs on my Dell laptop (Can I just
remove them?)?
lisa harkema wrote:
On Sun, 08 Oct 2006 14:39:52 GMT, "David H. Lipman"
<DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote:
Remove ALL versions of Sun Java and replace it with v5 update 9.
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
"Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 Update 9"
OK. Following your advice verbatim, I went to:
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
And then went to the section titled:
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 Update 9
The J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE)
allows end-users to run Java applications
And then clicked on the "DOWNLOADS" button:
https://sdlc5d.sun.com/ECom/EComActionServlet;jsessionid=64947C105675BCF77D9C4911876D3839
WHich, after forcing me to accept some kind of license
http://192.18.108.138/ECom/EComTicketServlet/BEGIN64947C105675BCF77D9C4911876D3839/-2147483648/1715355159/1/772430/772214/1715355159/2ts+/westCoastFSEND/jre-1.5.0_09-oth-JPR/jre-1.5.0_09-oth-JPR:2/jre-1_5_0_09-windows-i586-p.exe
Gave me the latest Java thingey.
I installed it but I really don't know what or why I installed it.
WHy would I (a normal person) need this Java download.
What happens if I don't have it?
(BTW, I have Java and Javascript turned off in my browser as I hate
anything but a normal web page and have no patience for rotating
images and things of that ilk).
Do I really need this Java thing (especially since I have it turned
off in my browser)?
Lisa
Java is a programming language. Javascript is a different programming
language, despite the similarity of names.
There is a vulnerability in the interaction between Java and Javascript within
a browser that Sun patched in version 1.4.2_06 and later. It is not present in
version 1.5+. If you aren't even using Java there is no risk from it. If you
run Java but not Javascript there is no risk from it. The vulnerability only
occurs when running mini-programs in Java called "applets" in combination with
certain malicious Javascript scripts in the browser.
There are other Java exploits that require a Trojan (short for "Trojan
horse"), a program that has already loaded itself onto your computer, to have
replaced legitimate Java with a malicious version.
You do not need Java unless you want to run Java programs such as applets. If
you do not run these programs, Java is not an issue. If you run neither Java
nor Javascript the particular exploit won't bite you.
It is not a bad thing to replace Java 1.4 with Java 1.5 as the other poster
suggested. Meanwhile I doubt you have anything to fear. You should be much
more concerned with conventional viruses, Trojans and other malicious software
("malware") that does not use Java. Good antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall
and similar software is your protection.
Avoid panicking just because one person sounds a "sky is falling" alert.
I recommend that you confirm what I told you with your own research. ("Google
is your friend.") I am not a security expert and I only know what I've been
able to research so far.
- Lew