Javascript security

jamesd

What you'll find along the way is that some banking, booking and shopping sites redirect you to a different site that relies on javascript, but you don't know in advance which site that will be, so the transaction fails. As you encounter those you can turn on javascript for them but sometimes turning on javascript globally for the transaction might be most convenient.

[Deleted User]

goodValue said:

To uninstall, just go to settings > apps > apps and features in Windows and search for Java then uninstall option.

This proved useful as it also led me to the Startup apps. There were on two - Java Update Scheduler, and 

Windows security notification icon. Should there not have been a Virus Checker there?

I'll wait until I get the message again to decide if I should turn Java off. 

Is it now the case that most reputable web developers would NOT use Java?

Virus checkers are usually started as a service and often at a much lower level so it isn't so easy for other software to tamper with the startup settings so don't worry about that.

This Java application you have sound like the runtime version for use by specific applications rather than the Java that runs in web browsers.

You don't need to wait for the prompt, you can uninstall now if you wish. I'd recommend that, I've not had Java runtime installed / needed on a PC for several years now.

Java is dying off in desktop and web applications nowadays but it hasn't gone forever and there are still some great uses for it.

goodValue

jamesd said:

What you'll find along the way is that some banking, booking and shopping sites redirect you to a different site that relies on javascript, but you don't know in advance which site that will be, so the transaction fails. As you encounter those you can turn on javascript for them but sometimes turning on javascript globally for the transaction might be most convenient.

I blocked Javascript on Chrome, and made an exception for https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/ But when I came back to the machine later, the exception had disappeared. Is this exception part of "Site data"? I ask this because in the Settings there is a section that says: Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows However, I'm not able to change this?? I had also made the choice: Block third-party cookies Is there something else that could be clearing the Javascript exception?

goodValue

This Java application you have sound like the runtime version for use by specific applications rather than the Java that runs in web browsers.

There were two Java apps:

Java 8 Update 261

Java 8 Update 261 (64 bit)

Are these what you expected?

[Deleted User]

goodValue said:

This Java application you have sound like the runtime version for use by specific applications rather than the Java that runs in web browsers.

There were two Java apps:

Java 8 Update 261

Java 8 Update 261 (64 bit)

Are these what you expected?

Yes, looks about right. Uninstall both.

All mainstream applications will continue to work but if any software you have relies on Java then it will prompt you next time you try to launch it and you can install the latest version.

If you decide not to uninstall, then update it here - your version dates back to July 2020 and is no longer recommended by Oracle.

https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Neil_Jones

goodValue said:

jamesd said:

What you'll find along the way is that some banking, booking and shopping sites redirect you to a different site that relies on javascript, but you don't know in advance which site that will be, so the transaction fails. As you encounter those you can turn on javascript for them but sometimes turning on javascript globally for the transaction might be most convenient.

I blocked Javascript on Chrome, and made an exception for https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/ But when I came back to the machine later, the exception had disappeared. Is this exception part of "Site data"? I ask this because in the Settings there is a section that says: Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows However, I'm not able to change this?? I had also made the choice: Block third-party cookies Is there something else that could be clearing the Javascript exception?

The Javascript option of which you speak is controlled by the browser, it is not part of "site data" - that's more to do with cookies.  Third party cookies are nothing to do with javascript.  Javascript can set them, and often does, but if you disable third party cookies they're more tracking/privacy related.

Its more likely something else you have installed (maybe a browser extension  Maybe a section of an internet security program?  Maybe something else?) is interfering.  Of course with Chrome being a profile based browser the other thing to rule out is a profile issue - nine out of ten cats browser issues with profile based browsers are either extension or profile related.

goodValue

Its more likely something else you have installed (maybe a browser extension  Maybe a section of an internet security program?  Maybe something else?) is interfering.  Of course with Chrome being a profile based browser the other thing to rule out is a profile issue - nine out of ten cats browser issues with profile based browsers are either extension or profile related.

I looked to see what extensions are on Chrome, and found only: Google Docs Offline

I've not looked at the Profile before, and when I did, there were only three options:

  Name your Chrome profile

  Pick a theme color

  Pick an avatar

goodValue

[Deleted User] said:

goodValue said:

This Java application you have sound like the runtime version for use by specific applications rather than the Java that runs in web browsers.

There were two Java apps:

Java 8 Update 261

Java 8 Update 261 (64 bit)

Are these what you expected?

Yes, looks about right. Uninstall both.

All mainstream applications will continue to work but if any software you have relies on Java then it will prompt you next time you try to launch it and you can install the latest version.

If you decide not to uninstall, then update it here - your version dates back to July 2020 and is no longer recommended by Oracle.

https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

OK, uninstalled both of them.