Microsoft reports 'unprecedented wave' of Java malware exploits

ZDnet ^ | October 18, 2010 | Ryan Naraine

[Wooly]

According to data from Microsoft’s malware protection center, there has been an “unprecedented wave” of exploits against vulnerabilities in Oracle Sun’s Java software in 2010.

[Wooly]

Affects Java-enabled browsers on multiple platforms, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Apple Mac OS X.

[humblegunner]

Actual title manages to begin with a capital letter:

Microsoft reports ‘unprecedented wave’ of Java malware exploits

[billorites]

Hardly a day goes by without a Java update blinking at me.

[brytlea]

Any chance some smart person here could explain this to me? I have a Mac, what do I need to be worried about?

[library user]

Something is wrong then. The current version (22) came out a few days ago, whereas the prior version (21) had been the most recent for months.

[library user]

I have a Mac, what do I need to be worried about?

Homosexual tendencies. Just teasing. That was too easy. :O)

[Wooly]

Just use your software update feature and make sure you have the most up to date version for Mac.
I read an article about 8 months ago on computer security forum that had sent out questionnaires to several large IT managers. When asked about Mac security, over half of the IT managers that Apple Mac users seem to think that they are completely shielded from computers being compromised and therefore do not pay attention to things like Java Updates and Acrobat updates.

[Wooly]

Of course the same is true for Linux users

[brytlea]

Even us girls are homosexual if we use Macs?

[brytlea]

I will have to ask my expert (son) but I thought it was set up to do it automatically. I just got it. Thanks.

[Wooly]

Remember even though you have a MAC and therefore are not as vulnerable there are things you need to watch out for.
Computer security is a lot like securing your house. Most people do not have someone kick down the door, instead they invite the crook in or hire him to do something. Same goes for computers, most people download their computer problems via Limewire, banner ads, clicking on embedded pop ups, going to embedded websites, or downloading what they think is software that will fix a problem caused by one of the above.

[brytlea]

Yeah, I’m really careful, but very paranoid. ;)

[maxwellsmart_agent]

My Kaspersky Internet Security has been picking off stuff it cites as coming through Java. Too many Trojans are slipping through. Java must have some real holes in it.

[Will88]

I will have to ask my expert (son) but I thought it was set up to do it automatically. I just got it. Thanks.

I know my Java had been updating automatically before, but for whatever reason I didn't have this large update and had to download and install it.

[brytlea]

Great, I’ll mention it to my geek. :)