If you have java you MUST MUST MUST update it and especially the latest one they are already exploiting it right now so anyone that has not done the latest update and has java get to it and update it now.

If you do not have java and can live with out it then you don't need it if you are going to sites that prompt you for java then those sites will not render properly with out it.
All old versions of java must be removed because simply updating to the latest will not stop the problem with the old one as long as it is on the pc.

This little tool called javara can remove all the old java from your pc.
JavaRa 2.0

here is the verify java site to make sure you have the most recent update
Verify Java Version

to update java go to control panel to all your programs find java (the coffee cup) open it go to the update tab click check for updates.
be very careful when doing the update NOT TO GET the extra addons like toolbars etc you will need to pay attention and uncheck any of those that may be checked.

article about this latest zero day attack with java
Zero-Day Season is Not Over Yet

It is essential to keep java, adobe, and flash all updated just as you do your windows updates because the latest infections have all been due to people not updating those or leaving the vulnerable versions on their pc. An antivirus program will not do much to help you in most of these cases.

NEVER update java or anything for that matter, anywhere other than from the official java update site(or official site for what ever product you are updating), if you go to a page that offers you a link to update your java do NOT use that link you do not know if it is a real java link or a link to click on for a malware install.

This is from Susan Bradley in the latest windows secrets newsletter concerning java.

begin article:

An Aug. 30 Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog
suggests disabling Java plug-ins for browsers. But Java reminds me of a Canadian-based home show where the two hosts battle to see whether homeowners will keep their house or decide to sell it. Java is like the house: if you're not actually using it, you're better off dumping it. (Fortunately, it's quite a bit easier to walk away from Java than from a house.)

I suggest going into Windows' application removal tool (Programs and Features in Win7) and remove all Java installs you find. (Sort by application name.) Also remove or disable Java plugins in all installed browsers.

In IE and Firefox, plugin management is in Tools. For IE, it's Manage add-ons; in Firefox, it's simply Add-ons. For Chrome, it's easiest to enter chrome://plugins/ into the Web address/search box. (Chrome's plugin manager notes whether critical plugins are current, and its advanced setting lets you block/allow plugins for specific sites.)

With Java completely removed or disabled, keep an eye out for any websites that simply won't work without Java. If there are any , and you can't live without them , determine whether a site prefers the use of a particular browser and enable Java for just that one browser. For example, if you have a banking site that demands Java and Internet Explorer, install Java 7 Update 7 (download site
) only on IE.

Keep in mind that, even with Java 7, Update 7 installed, there's cause to worry. Other unpatched Java vulnerabilities are out there and in use in attacks. For example, I received a phishing attack that used a fake Microsoft template with a Java/Blackhole payload. The details can be found on an ISC Diary page
.

- What to do: Try running your system with Java completely removed or disabled. Otherwise, use Java only when necessary and limit it to one browser.

end of article.

So I guess it's 'damned if you do, and damned if you don't'.

Thanks Raven.

I have Java 6 Standard Edition and the prompting update is Java 6 Update 35.

So can I just Update now, instead of removing my Java 6?

Update then run the javara tool because it is very possible you have versions you are not seeing.

The Download gives me a choice of External Mirror 1
or Softpedia Mirror US.

Does it matter which one I choose?

I checked to see if mine needed updating, but the site there was no working Java on my Pc. Is that possible. I have w 7 home and FF.

it is possible you do not have java on your pc it is not part of windows and some pc manufacturers do not install it.
It is only needed on certain sites that use objects that require java for proper display and some games.

Jasdip the easiest way is to just open your control panel go to the programs list click on the java icon and use the updater in the actual java there, you know you will be getting exactly what you need that way. After doing that go back to the site to verify that it now shows you have the latest version of java.

the latest version of java which is the one you should be getting is Java 7 Update 7.

The javara downloaded in winzip and I can't open winzips.

RC, I had just read your post at CompHelp, and now I am up to date with 7-7.

Cool! Thanks.

Sue

Thank you Raven

I went to the site to verify Java and was also told that I have no working Java. I then went to the Add/Remove list and there is a program J2SE Runtime environment 5.0 listed, size 98 MB. The icon in front of the program is the Java Icon or a very close facsimile. Don't know what to do.

this might help with the javara, there is no actual install.

App of the Week: Use JavaRa to Update Java and Get Rid of Old Versions

this one might even be better it has lots of pictures of each step
Remove Old Versions of Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
mare check out the above link.

JavaRa : Easily Remove Older Versions of Java

jasdip just try double clicking the zip file you downloaded it should work it may ask if you want to run javara.exe yes you do. There is not an actual install.

I removed JAVA from my computer about three weeks ago, and I have had no problems with any website I have visited. If you don't need it just uninstall it. You can always reinstall it if you start having a problem with a website.

Thanks again RC. I removed JRE, as camp56 wrote, if I have any problems I can Install it.

Java 6 is actually an old version of Java, and it's up in the 7's now. My computer had the old 6 version on it, and a couple other programs were out-of-date and I ended up getting some spyware and trojans on my computer.

As per Raven's, and other computer-knowledgeable people's, advice, I downloaded Secunia. It's a wonderful program that keeps track of all of your computer programs and updates them. It really helps to keep your computer more secure.

When I click on any zipped files, I get a window prompting me to buy WinZip as it's not a free program. Since I don't have any intentions of buying the software, I can't open zip files.

Unless there's another program besides WinZip I can use?

Jasdip some one had to have installed winzip on the pc at some point, however it can be used in the free version. I don't know what version of windows you have, you may have the ability to do zip in windows. I would suggest removing winzip if you don't want to use it and install another free zip program if you don't have the ability in windows. It sounds like winzip has been set as default for zip files on your pc so removing it might stop that or you can change the default settings for zip files.

A good freebie is 7 zip

www. 7-zip. org

Usually on winzip it offers you the option to go ahead and continue free you might look closely for that or as mentioned uninstall it and install 7zip

here is a link to how to use the built in zip utility that is in windows xp.
How Do I Unzip a File in Windows XP? Description

and here is the clickable link for 7zip
7-Zip

in windows 7 they use the terminology of compressed file and you just right click on the file and select extract all

Oh, now what do I do??

I opened the Javara using the 7-Zip.

It's giving me 3 colourful choices......Update Java Runtime;
Remove JRE (I think that's the one I want) and Update Javara Definitions.

It doesn't tell me what older versions I have and telling me that I should uninstall them....

yes remove and then update you can use any of the three with out any problems, but you mainly want it to remove the old versions.