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Is Java dangerous?

OldMarketMeg

OldMarketMeg

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 19, 2016
83
3
Omaha
My new Mac is running Sierra, and I use OpenOffice.

After using my new Mac for a few days, I have been having lots of isues with OO Writer. It crashes a lot and now it says it is "locked".

When I looked up my error message, people say I need to use an older version of Java for OO to run.

I thought that you were supposed to disable Java because it is a security threat to your Mac.

What is the truth?

Is installing an "old" version of Java on my new Mac a bad idea?

Is installing any version of Java on my new Mac a bad idea?

And what are your thoughts about Open Office?
 
Java isn't dangerous per say.. However with old versions you want to be careful as to what apps are allowed to use the older runtimes because older versions typically have vulnerabilities that malicious software can take advantage of.. If you are needing the legacy version of java for Open Office.. it should be this download. https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1572?locale=en_US
 
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Kissmyne said:
Java isn't dangerous per say.. However with old versions you want to be careful as to what apps are allowed to use the older runtimes because older versions typically have vulnerabilities that malicious software can take advantage of.. If you are needing the legacy version of java for Open Office.. it should be this download. https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1572?locale=en_US
Click to expand...

From what I have read this morning, it sounds like Oracle has added some nasty Adware into Java and it can be hard to uninstall.

I thought Java was supposed to be better for security than other languages? Maybe times have changed?

Everything I am Googling make it sound like Java is the main cause of browser flaws and malware.

Maybe it is time to stop using Open Office?
[doublepost=1483382583][/doublepost]
Kissmyne said:
Java isn't dangerous per say.. However with old versions you want to be careful as to what apps are allowed to use the older runtimes because older versions typically have vulnerabilities that malicious software can take advantage of.. If you are needing the legacy version of java for Open Office.. it should be this download. https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1572?locale=en_US
Click to expand...

It looks like Sierra doesn't even come with Java installed? Maybe that is Apple's way of saying not to use Java? SAs mentioned before, from what I have read this morning, people don't have many nice things to say about Java - especially when it comes to Adware and security.

Any thoughts on Larry Ellison's adware?

http://www.computerworld.com/articl...ation/java-mac-ask-toolbar-oracle-itbwcw.html

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/disable-java-mac-os-x-secure-system/

https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/topic/java/
 
The solution offered bypasses Oracle for the legacy version.(Being an Apple vetted link and all)

Java is still a great programming language, and it is still one of the most secure, however it is also extremely popular AND on basically ALL platforms. This makes it a tempting target. Manage your plugins properly and you will have no issues.

Java is third party software, there should be no expectation of it being installed. Apple does offer both the legacy and the latest Java update procedures on their website.. They have typically shown less support than that if its a product that they have no intent of supporting. So take whether it is included or not with a grain of salt..
 
Kissmyne said:
The solution offered bypasses Oracle for the legacy version.(Being an Apple vetted link and all)

Java is still a great programming language, and it is still one of the most secure, however it is also extremely popular AND on basically ALL platforms. This makes it a tempting target. Manage your plugins properly and you will have no issues.

Java is third party software, there should be no expectation of it being installed. Apple does offer both the legacy and the latest Java update procedures on their website.. They have typically shown less support than that if its a product that they have no intent of supporting. So take whether it is included or not with a grain of salt..
Click to expand...

When I go to System Preferences in Sierra, I do not see Java, so I assume my new MacBook didn't come with Java installed, right?

If that is correct, then I took that as a sign that maybe Apple isn't so crazy about Java anymore. (On my old Mac, I think it came with Java pre-installed.)
 
OldMarketMeg said:
Everything I am Googling make it sound like Java is the main cause of browser flaws and malware.

Maybe it is time to stop using Open Office?
Click to expand...

Just to clarify. There are two parts to Java. The Java runtime component used by apps like OO, and the browser plugin. You can run just the runtime to use OO and not run the plugin and you will not be subject to any Java security issues related to web browsing.
[doublepost=1483384741][/doublepost]
OldMarketMeg said:
When I go to System Preferences in Sierra, I do not see Java, so I assume my new MacBook didn't come with Java installed, right?
Click to expand...

Correct.
 
Weaselboy said:
Just to clarify. There are two parts to Java. The Java runtime component used by apps like OO, and the browser plugin. You can run just the runtime to use OO and not run the plugin and you will not be subject to any Java security issues related to web browsing.
Click to expand...

So what do I need to do to install the Java runtime and not the vulnerable Java browser plug-ins?

A few of the things I read online made it sound like if you install Larry Ellison's Java then your computer gets infested with Java and adware and it is very hard to get rid of.
 
OldMarketMeg said:
My new Mac is running Sierra, and I use OpenOffice.

After using my new Mac for a few days, I have been having lots of isues with OO Writer. It crashes a lot and now it says it is "locked".

When I looked up my error message, people say I need to use an older version of Java for OO to run.

I thought that you were supposed to disable Java because it is a security threat to your Mac.

What is the truth?

Is installing an "old" version of Java on my new Mac a bad idea?

Is installing any version of Java on my new Mac a bad idea?

And what are your thoughts about Open Office?
Click to expand...

Have you tried LibreOffice, which is based on the same code base as Oo_Org? It doesn't require Java. I would never install Java on my Mac as it's a constant upgrade grind due to the security issues it has.
 
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dogslobber said:
Have you tried LibreOffice, which is based on the same code base as Oo_Org? It doesn't require Java. I would never install Java on my Mac as it's a constant upgrade grind due to the security issues it has.
Click to expand...

Okay, one person who is suspicious of Java.

No, I haven't tried LibreOffice yer - change is hard! (I have gotten comfortable using OpenOffice over the last 5 years.)

Have you used Pages and other Apple office products? If so, how do they compare to LibreOffice?

Since I am on a Mac, maybe it makes sense for me to use native Mac office products? Then again, the reason I liked OO was that it could be used on any platform, which I am a big fan of!
 
OldMarketMeg said:
Okay, one person who is suspicious of Java.

No, I haven't tried LibreOffice yer - change is hard! (I have gotten comfortable using OpenOffice over the last 5 years.)

Have you used Pages and other Apple office products? If so, how do they compare to LibreOffice?

Since I am on a Mac, maybe it makes sense for me to use native Mac office products? Then again, the reason I liked OO was that it could be used on any platform, which I am a big fan of!
Click to expand...

Oo_Org and LibreOffice are virtually identical so you will not notice any real differences. As I said, same code base.
 
OldMarketMeg said:
So what do I need to do to install the Java runtime and not the vulnerable Java browser plug-ins?

A few of the things I read online made it sound like if you install Larry Ellison's Java then your computer gets infested with Java and adware and it is very hard to get rid of.
Click to expand...

Just install Java then open Safari and in preferences under Security disable the plugin. Java was installing an Ask.com toolbar, but just uncheck the option to install that during the install.

Again, the Java security threat is the plugin and not the runtime you need. Many people are misinformed about this.
 
Weaselboy said:
Just install Java then open Safari and in preferences under Security disable the plugin. Java was installing an Ask.com toolbar, but just uncheck the option to install that during the install.

Again, the Java security threat is the plugin and not the runtime you need. Many people are misinformed about this.
Click to expand...

Unless you're a developer then the chances are that you don't need java installed on your Mac. Even then, do any developers write for java on their Mac or do remote development with it for Linux? I'd say the latter is probably more true. I'm not sure why java exists on the Mac any more, TBH, as there's no value add, except maybe offline development. It's just not worth the hassle running to keep it patched every week.
 
Weaselboy said:
Just install Java then open Safari and in preferences under Security disable the plugin. Java was installing an Ask.com toolbar, but just uncheck the option to install that during the install.

Again, the Java security threat is the plugin and not the runtime you need. Many people are misinformed about this.
Click to expand...

1.) Would it be better to download Java from Apple's website if that is possible? (In post #2, @Kissmyne provided a link.)

2.) Is there a way to get Java to update regularly and automatically? (That was another beef that I read about Java.)

3.) Will I be able to uninstall the Java plug-in from all browsers? For example, Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc.

4.) Have you ever used Pages or Apple's office products, and if so, how do they compare to OO and MS Office?
 
dogslobber said:
Unless you're a developer then the chances are that you don't need java installed on your Mac.
Click to expand...

This thread is an example of why one may need the Java runtime on a Mac. There are still apps around that use the runtime.
[doublepost=1483392052][/doublepost]
OldMarketMeg said:
1.) Would it be better to download Java from Apple's website if that is possible? (In post #2, @Kissmyne provided a link.)

2.) Is there a way to get Java to update regularly and automatically? (That was another beef that I read about Java.)

3.) Will I be able to uninstall the Java plug-in from all browsers? For example, Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc.

4.) Have you ever used Pages or Apple's office products, and if so, how do they compare to OO and MS Office?
Click to expand...

1. No... get it direct from Oracle.

2. I have not used it in a while, but from I recall you had to manually check for and install updates.

3. Yes

4. Yes. Pages is very easy to use, but short on features depending on what you need. It is all I need. OO is feature rich but a bit clunky looking is all. MS Office is very feature rich and prettier, but costs money.
 
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dogslobber said:
Unless you're a developer then the chances are that you don't need java installed on your Mac. Even then, do any developers write for java on their Mac or do remote development with it for Linux? I'd say the latter is probably more true. I'm not sure why java exists on the Mac any more, TBH, as there's no value add, except maybe offline development. It's just not worth the hassle running to keep it patched every week.
Click to expand...

Not a fan of Java, huh? I thought most Java developers did so on Linux and Mac.
 
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