tool name

close
tool goes here

Homeland Security says disable Java on computers

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is advising people to temporarily disable Java software on their computers to avoid potential hacking attacks.

Published: Jan. 12, 2013 at 12:05 a.m. PST
0 comments

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is advising people to temporarily disable Java software on their computers to avoid potential hacking attacks.

The recommendation came in an advisory issued late Thursday, following up on concerns raised by computer security experts.

Experts believe hackers have found a flaw in Java’s coding that creates an opening for criminal activity and other high-tech mischief.

Java is a widely used technical language that allows computer programmers to write a wide variety of Internet applications and other software programs that can run on just about any computer’s operating system.

Oracle Corp. bought Java as part of a $7.3 billion acquisition of the software’s creator, Sun Microsystems, in 2010.

Oracle, which is based in Redwood Shores, Calif., had no immediate comment late Friday.

The Associated Press

JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here

We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.

CONTESTS

Similar stories

  • Learn computer basics, safety at Richland class

    Pasco Parks and Recreation is offering a "Just the Basics" computer class covering computer startup, how to use a mouse and how to run a software program.

    The class is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland.

    Cost is $7.50 for a Pasco resident and $11 for a non-resident.

  • Department of Energy fears cyber security weaknesses

    At a time when senior defense officials are sounding the alarms about the potential for a devastating cyber attack against America’s critical infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Energy’s inspector general has found dozens of unaddressed cyber vulnerabil-ities at key DOE facilities, including ones dealing with nuclear programs.

  • Facebook event today could reveal new smartphone

    Facebook is close to unveiling a smartphone whose software keeps the social network front and center. It is part of an overall strategy to advance Facebook’s ambitions to dominate mobile devices the way it has desktop computers.

  • Sector Snap: Makers of computer networking gear

    Investors snapped up the stocks of companies that make computer networking gear Thursday after industry leader Cisco Systems Inc.'s latest quarterly earnings raised hope that business is picking up after a long stretch of lackluster demand.

  • Experts: Smartphones another avenue for hackers

    Smartphones are increasingly popular not only with consumers, but also with thieves who see the devices as another way to tap into bank accounts and other sensitive information, experts say.