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Wognath
Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 405
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Posted: Sat 12 Jan 2013, 15:30 Post subject:
Java security |
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Hello,
The recent news about Java
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/01/11/169156325/computer-users-should-disable-java-7-due-to-security-flaw-experts-say
got my attention since I do banking online using Puppy, and my bank sites require Java.
I don’t know much about Java. While I’m waiting for Oracle to respond to this, I’m hoping the Puppy community (never lacking for strong opinions!) can educate me.
Is Firefox with NoScript adequate protection against this problem, provided I only allow scripts from sites I visit?
Is it sufficient to disable Java in the browser or should Java be deleted from the machine? (in windows, for example)
Do java scripts go away when the browser is closed, or is there the potential for the script to leave malware on the computer?
Thanks.
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Semme

Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 7826 Location: World_Hub
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Posted: Sat 12 Jan 2013, 16:15 Post subject:
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Not to worry.. Java and JavaScript are entirely different. Fact is, most people don't realize this..
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Wognath
Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 405
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Posted: Sat 12 Jan 2013, 16:45 Post subject:
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Quote: | Not to worry.. Java and JavaScript are entirely different. Fact is, most people don't realize this..
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Thanks, Semme. I certainly didn't know that. With javascripts enabled, but with no Java on my machine, I can still do most of what I need to do.
It makes me wonder how often that 137Mb Java folder was actually used!
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jpeps
Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 3217
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Posted: Sat 12 Jan 2013, 18:05 Post subject:
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Wognath wrote: | Quote: | Not to worry.. Java and JavaScript are entirely different. Fact is, most people don't realize this..
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Thanks, Semme. I certainly didn't know that. With javascripts enabled, but with no Java on my machine, I can still do most of what I need to do.
It makes me wonder how often that 137Mb Java folder was actually used! |
This issue is the java plugin for your browser. Firefox 18.0 doesn't even support it to begin with, so there's no problem.
That 137 M Java folder could be replaced by an SFS. The reason you're wondering is because very few puppy users know how to use it.
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Wognath
Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 405
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Posted: Sat 12 Jan 2013, 18:30 Post subject:
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Quote: | This issue is the java plugin for your browser. |
OK, I was wrong when I thought I was beginning to understand. What, if anything, does that plugin do after Java is deleted? Is it just an interface between Mozilla and Java?
Quote: | That 137 M Java folder could be replaced by an SFS. |
Mine is (was) a folder in the home directory, with symlink to library in /lib/mozilla.
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jpeps
Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 3217
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Posted: Sat 12 Jan 2013, 18:51 Post subject:
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Wognath wrote: | Quote: | This issue is the java plugin for your browser. |
OK, I was wrong when I thought I was beginning to understand. What, if anything, does that plugin do after Java is deleted? Is it just an interface between Mozilla and Java?
Quote: | That 137 M Java folder could be replaced by an SFS. |
Mine is (was) a folder in the home directory, with symlink to library in /lib/mozilla. |
The plugin requires JRE to run, but again, the issue is only the plugin for browsers that support it to begin with. Oracle will no doubt provide a fix.
Leave it to HomeLand Security to supply guidelines. Perhaps people should throw away their smart phones too. Like we've never had a browser vulnerability before. Probably the greatest threat to your personal info is HomeLand Security.
edit: I have firefox on a windows computer with the vulnerable java plugin. There's a notice that it's been blocked by mozilla since Aug 31, 2012 !!
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James C

Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 6717 Location: Kentucky
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Posted: Sun 13 Jan 2013, 13:05 Post subject:
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Oracle Corp to fix Java security flaw "shortly".....
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/12/us-usa-java-security-idUSBRE90B0EX20130112
Quote: | Java was responsible for 50 percent of all cyber attacks last year in which hackers broke into computers by exploiting software bugs, according to Kaspersky. That was followed by Adobe Reader, which was involved in 28 percent of all incidents. Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer were involved in about 3 percent of incidents, according to the survey. |
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James C

Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 6717 Location: Kentucky
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Posted: Sun 13 Jan 2013, 13:08 Post subject:
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Mozilla is getting the message across here .....
Description |
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27.87 KB |
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924 Time(s) |

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jpeps
Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 3217
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Posted: Sun 13 Jan 2013, 14:00 Post subject:
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James C wrote: | Mozilla is getting the message across here .....  |
Yeah...the plugin has been blocked since August 31, 2012 (read the "more information"). Hardly new information; maybe new for "Homeland Security".
Last edited by jpeps on Sun 13 Jan 2013, 14:11; edited 1 time in total
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bark_bark_bark
Joined: 05 Jun 2012 Posts: 1935 Location: Wisconsin USA
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Posted: Sun 13 Jan 2013, 14:06 Post subject:
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Isn't that a good thing that they're blocking Java.
_________________ ....
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jpeps
Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 3217
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Posted: Sun 13 Jan 2013, 14:41 Post subject:
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bark_bark_bark wrote: | Isn't that a good thing that they're blocking Java. |
Years ago it was probably considered a cool idea to be able to run little programs through your browser. Now we have malicious code in even in graphics. Why would you want to allow some external site to be able to run programs on your machine through your browser? Note that there's a "disable" button on all your plugins. Better yet...use a text browser whenever possible (links2 includes wonderful graphics).
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Monsie

Joined: 01 Dec 2011 Posts: 633 Location: Kamloops BC Canada
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Posted: Sun 13 Jan 2013, 17:26 Post subject:
Java panic |
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Unfortunately, this story has dragged on for weeks and months.... It was just a matter of time before this story came to light again. As I noted in this thread here Oracle has known about many of the security flaws for a long time, and still has about fifty or so known issues to fix since its last update. Now that one or more flaws are being actively exploited, hopefully, the good news is that it may push Oracle to finish its patchwork sooner than later...
Monsie
_________________ My username is pronounced: "mun-see". Derived from my surname, it was my nickname throughout high school.
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bark_bark_bark
Joined: 05 Jun 2012 Posts: 1935 Location: Wisconsin USA
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Posted: Mon 14 Jan 2013, 19:58 Post subject:
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even with the new update, a lot of security bugs remain.
_________________ ....
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jpeps
Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 3217
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Posted: Mon 14 Jan 2013, 20:51 Post subject:
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bark_bark_bark wrote: | even with the new update, a lot of security bugs remain. |
..and will continue if you're stupid enough to go to unfamiliar sites with a web browser that has a plugin that allows applets to be run by the external site. Fortunately, HomeLand security is here to protect your personal identification from being compromised (unless they need it).
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Flash
Official Dog Handler

Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 12819 Location: Arizona USA
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Posted: Mon 14 Jan 2013, 23:24 Post subject:
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Didn't Oracle claim to own some of the code used by Linux, and threaten to sue anyone using Linux for using "their" code? These guys don't seem to know much about anything.
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