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FYI - Java Security Warnings

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Started 4 months ago by VeganBiker
Latest reply from BooRadley

VeganBiker

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FYI - check out this info - http://news.yahoo.com/government-warns-java-security-concerns-escalate-160640366--sector.html
And one benifit of turning off Java in your browser is that you won't see ads on the MyBallard pages! And many other pages and lots of pop-up will not pop-up and other pages like Youtube videos might not work!
But be aware that there is a problem.

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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And dsomers, I thought of you as I read about this problem! What a pain to have to support users connected to the internet with this type of security problem!

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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At the moment I am still trying to find season 3, episodes 4,5,6,7 and 8 of the Walking Dead for free on line! If anyone know where please let me know. :) My daughter turned me on to this series and I got hooked, just finished episode 3 of season 3 that was on Direct TV but no more! I am stuck.

Posted 4 months ago #
RichY

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VB http://kat.ph/usearch/Walking%20Dead/

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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Cheers RichY! I was going to suggest the torrent too. The Java issue is a bit old, it was mentioned over the summer suggesting to disable the updates. This was just the Slashdot.

http://slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=java

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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RichY - thanks, I finally got this to D/L

BooRadley - I noticed that it has been an issue for a while but it appears that Homeland Security is making a big deal out of it right now, which made me think that there are probably people out there that might just start trying to use all that spare time they have by trying to get into other peoples computers, you know, plant seeds (ideas) and things grow.

Posted 4 months ago #
RichY

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Or HLS is just trying to make work for themselves

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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That was my thought.

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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Install Gentoo.

Posted 4 months ago #
Mondoman

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I think the reason it hit the news recently was that some company announced they were seeing plenty of exploits using this Java bug in the wild now, and that Oracle STILL hadn't released a fix for it, even though they've known about it for many months.

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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Mondoman - I think you are correct there. Oracle seems to be dragging their feet.
I am discovering many sites that don't work if you un-install Java. Fortunately I just disabled it and can enable it for safe sites, like my on line banking site! Discovered that this morning, I couldn't even log into my bank's web site with Java turned off.

BooRadley - I currently use Ubuntu on my main computer, so I am curious, have you really installed Gentoo on a system? You must be a bit of a Linux guru, doesn't that entail a lot of command line typing to install and configure the system?

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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That's just tech sarcasm, VB. Just like "delete system 32" as a fix. I do play with Ubuntu as well but installing on Win8 is going to be a challenge with my new laptop. My dual boot HP bit the dust in November. Win8 changed access to the BIOS.

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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BooRadley - Ah, got it. I really have enjoyed using Ubuntu for my main computer and my older netbook for a couple of years now. I have a Toshiba laptop that last year I D/L'd and installed the Windows 8 ISO that Microsoft made available on line for free, it expired this January I think. I re-installed Vista because I really didn't like the chunkiness of Windows 8, it is probably great on a tablet PC but for a desktop I just like the basic desktop and I know that one can use that instead of the "tiles" but I still found getting around required more steps than previous versions of Windows, even shutting down takes 3 steps.
And I don't think that Windows 8 or any OS "changes access to the BIOS" It didn't on my Toshiba, just used the same "F2" for Setup and "F12" for Boot Manager, key press at the Toshiba boot screen, how did it change your system?

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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The difference is, having Win8 pre-installed.

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2012/11/05/dual-boot-windows-8-and-ubuntu-12-10-on-uefi-hardware/

I was waiting until after football season to play with it.

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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BR - but that link is just about partitioning and setting up the hard drive, nothing to do with the BIOS. And as that is a laptop you are installing it on the BIOS should recognize the hard drive already. One of the things that you can do with a desktop is to install multiple hard drives with different OS's installed and then select the "boot" drive when the computer boot up, in the BIOS. But I don't think Windows 8 or any OS changes the BIOS as far as I know.
From my experience with Linux it is VERY complete and will install just about anywhere and with any OS. I am running Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS on an "old" Pentium 4 with a 3.80Ghz X2 processor! The system is fast, loads and runs programs fast and I can't justify buying the Core i7 system that I keep drooling over.

Posted 4 months ago #
shelley

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Java is not the same as Javascript. Oracle released the "fix" for Java today (I think). The ads on MyBallard use Javascript. Typically websites that use Java have you download an "applet" and run that. Javascript is provided by the browser.

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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shelly - thanks for pointing out that Java and Javascript are not the same. It is a bit confusing for the average user and I used to be an IT "expert"! Still got confused. But disabling the Java plug-in for the browser works and leaving the Javascript enabled allows pages that use Javascript to work.
And apparently the "fix" that was released by Oracle today still has CERT concerned:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2025178/oracle-releases-java-fix-but-security-concerns-remain.html

Posted 4 months ago #
shelley

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Vegan, the word came in to disable Java again about an hour after I posted. My late husband used to rail about Java being a "cross-platform disaster waiting to happen"

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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Hey, VB! Sorry, had company. When I was reading about adding Ubuntu, it was suggested that you fave recovery discs available which weren't provided with the computer and I haven't had time (football) to burn any. This is what I'm working with. I opted for the I5 but got a backlit keyboard. Happyface.jpg. 2x USB 3.0 as well.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+15.6%22+Laptop+-+6GB+Memory+-+750GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/6769421.p;tab=specifications?id=1218806578389&skuId=6769421

So Linux install will probably happen after the Superbowl. I posted a similar link to the initial one I read, it didn't cover every topic.

Back on topic. I read we should update Java now (today). I use it so little it's not a concern but really? java?

Posted 4 months ago #
VeganBiker

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shelly - yep, it appears that Java is still not "fixed". I agree that Java, as it is, appears to be a tool for hackers if they want to exploit it's abilities.

BooRadley - nice looking system, hope you have fun with it. FWIW one of the great things about Ubuntu is that you can download an ISO file and install it on a thumb drive, stick it in a USB slot and run the OS on your laptop with out actually installing it on the hard drive. I have done this many times and it works fine, and I don't see and drawbacks if you have a large enough thumb drive like 8 or 16 GB. It is a great way to find out if you can run it on your computer without messing up anything.

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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8-16G? Fry's is selling 32-64 for $20-30. That's on the shopping list as well. I've still got a 500G HDD in the HP I can boot off of, it's still got 12.04 on it. I haven't parted it out yet. It had a bluray I need to salvage as a friend may be able to use it. Then I'll recycle it. Thanks, it's going to be a fun new toy. Friggin hardware!

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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P.S. Add HDD enclosure to the shopping list.

Posted 4 months ago #
Mondoman

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BR - Looks good! I picked up an i5 notebook last year (although without USB 3 or backlit keyboard) and have been quite pleased with how much CPU horsepower it has at the same time it has a long battery life. Definitely fast enough for all my mobile stuffs!

Posted 4 months ago #
BooRadley

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holdontoyourbutts.wav

Todays zero day exploit. Seriously, this is worse than Adobe updates at this point.

http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/01/5000-will-buy-you-access-to-another-new-critical-java-vulnerability/

The new hack is for sale now apparently. Cheers, back to torrenting.

Posted 4 months ago #

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FYI - Java Security Warnings

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