Apple pushes out Java updates to disable automatic applet execution

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
Apple on Tuesday released two Java updates for OS X 10.7 Lion and OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard which mimic the functionality of a recent Safari update that disables the automatic execution of Java applets.

Java for OS X Lion 2012-004

In an update to the previous Java for OS X Lion 2012-003 which terminated the Flashback malware, Apple is offering improved security and an operational feature that disables the automatic runtime of in-browser Java applets. The update presumably brings system-wide implementation of the functionality first seen in a May Safari update. Java applets can be re-enabled and if no applets have been run for an extended period of time the web plug-in will deactivate.

From the release notes:
About Java for OS X Lion 2012-004


Java for OS X 2012-004 delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility by updating Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_33.

This update configures the Java plug-in to deactivate when no applets are run for an extended period of time. If the prior update named "Java for OS X 2012-003" was not installed, this update will disable the Java web plug-in immediately. Java applets may be re-enabled by clicking the region labeled "Inactive plug-in" on a web page.

Please quit any web browsers and Java applications before installing this update.
The 64.07MB update require OS X 10.7 or later and can be downloaded via Software Update or Apple's Support Pages.

Java Update


Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 9

Apple's second Java release of the day is identical to the Lion update and brings the functionality discussed above to Macs running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

From the release notes:
About Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 9

Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 9 delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility by updating Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_33.

This update configures web browsers to not automatically run Java applets. Java applets may be re-enabled by clicking the region labeled "Inactive plug-in" on a web page. If no applets have been run for an extended period of time, the Java web plug-in will deactivate.

Please quit any web browsers and Java applications before installing this update.
The 76.34MB update requires OS X 10.6.8 and can be downloaded via Software Update or through Apple's Support Pages.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    tylerk36tylerk36 Posts: 1,037member


    JAVA.  The ever sinking titanic of the old world of web multimedia and security.  RIP.

  • Reply 2 of 10
    dabrace1984dabrace1984 Posts: 21member
    I don't want to be too picky, because I'm glad that Apple released the 1.6.0.33 so quickly, but why aren't they upgrading to 1.7.0.5?
  • Reply 3 of 10
    gmcalpingmcalpin Posts: 266member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dabrace1984 View Post



    I don't want to be too picky, because I'm glad that Apple released the 1.6.0.33 so quickly, but why aren't they upgrading to 1.7.0.5?


    Because Oracle is taking over Java support for OSX with 1.7… someday… supposedly.

  • Reply 4 of 10
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,404member
    So does this now mean that Java can be left back 'on' by default in Safari Preferences (and elsewhere)?
  • Reply 5 of 10
    gtrgtr Posts: 3,231member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post



    So does this now mean that Java can be left back 'on' by default in Safari Preferences (and elsewhere)?


     


    If you like to live dangerously.


     


    For example, James Bond would probably leave Java 'on'.


     


    Mind you, that crazy son-of-a-bitch probably has Flash installed as well... ;)

  • Reply 6 of 10
    suddenly newtonsuddenly newton Posts: 13,819member


    Thus continues the slow demise of the Java platform.


    Long live HTML5.

  • Reply 7 of 10
    gmcalpingmcalpin Posts: 266member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post


    Thus continues the slow demise of the Java platform.


    Long live HTML5.



    …are you thinking about Javascript?

  • Reply 8 of 10
    libertyforalllibertyforall Posts: 1,418member


    Been doing this for a long time with ClickToPlugin!  Nothing new...

  • Reply 9 of 10
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member
    gmcalpin wrote: »
    …are you thinking about Javascript?

    JavaScript is crucial in killing Java and Flash. It's basically HTML5's long lost cousin. Hand in hand, as it were.

    Yes, that… that's basically cousins in a relationship.
  • Reply 10 of 10
    gmcalpingmcalpin Posts: 266member


    Sure, for the web. But Java is used for a lot of things outside of browsers.

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