How To Disable Java

Java is a programming language that runs on Windows, OSX, and Linux systems. Currently owned by Oracle, Java has had a disturbing history with security vulnerabilities and is particularly dangerous as its "applets" (mini-applications that run within your web browser) will typically start executing immediately when you visit a page without any warning.

The problem is serious enough that security experts recommend that you uninstall the Java system completely unless you have applications or websites that absolutely depend on Java to function. Most of you will not have this requirement. Some of you may need Java to access certain financial systems at work. For that reason, you should dedicate just one web browser for that purpose and NEVER use it for general web browsing.

In January 2013, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a notice urging, "unless it is absolutely necessary to run Java in web browsers, disable it."

• What version of Java am I running?
• Why is this such a big deal?