Apple, Mozilla block Java amid new vulnerability

Following the disclosure of a new vulnerability in Java, Apple and Mozilla have taken steps to block it to protect their users.

 

Mozilla blocked recent versions of Java in its Firefox browser while Apple quietly disabled Java 7 on its computers running Mac OSX from 10.6 and up.

 

"The two companies are reacting to yesterday’s news of a new Java vulnerability. The critical security hole, which allows attackers to execute malicious software on a victim’s machine, is currently being exploited in the wild and is also available in common exploit kits," tech site The Next Web said in a blog post.

 

It said Apple did not announce its move to completely block Java 7, adding this may last until Oracle, which makes the Java software, issues a patch.

 

"If you’re on OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or higher, Apple has taken care of things for you," The Next Web said.

 

On the other hand, Mozilla still allows its users run the Java plug-in if they wish.

 

For the moment, The Next Web advised users of computers running Windows or Linux to uninstall Java "if you don’t need it and disabling it if you do."  — ELR, GMA News