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Apple Updates Java To Include Flashback Removal
Fluffeh writes "In the third update to Java that Apple has released this week, the update now identifies and removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware that has infected over half a million Apple machines. 'This Java security update removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware,' Apple wrote in the support document for the update. 'This update also configures the Java web plug-in to disable the automatic execution of Java applets. Users may re-enable automatic execution of Java applets using the Java Preferences application. If the Java web plug-in detects that no applets have been run for an extended period of time it will again disable Java applets.'"
Macs don't get viruses!
Almost no computer gets viruses anymore. Trojans & malware on the other hand...
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
...I was wondering why the art department at work and the guy who makes my coffee was pissed.
So to fix the problem, they say lets disable java by default. They are new to the security game.
Lets say using adobe photoshop had a vulnerability, apple's defense is disable the running of photoshop when launching a ps file withotut prompting?
It's like preventing your child walking without your permission every time and then when their grown up and able to make their own decisions and decide to walk, you say, oh you have not walked in a while, you can't walk again.
Most of the problems have been related to people installing software from the internet manually and things like Java.
That's pretty much the case with all platforms, compromise the user and you compromise the security of the system. All the email attachment malware, screensavers, etc... are user exploits and it doesn't matter what platform they are on, of course modern operating systems require explicit privilege escalation but again that's up to the user.
Add ons like Java are always going to be a source of headaches.
What do you mean 'Add ons'? You mean 3rd party software? Or in this case not even that since it's Apple that maintains Java releases for OSX.
All I know is I rarely have trouble with my Macs but the PCs are another story. One of mine I had to surrender for internet use because it got nailed by a redirect and I tried everything and short of redoing the OS there was no way to scrub it out. I find it safer to use Mac for web surfing and downloading things like software and I use a lot of licensed photos in my work. It's just my personal experience that I run into far fewer issues with the Macs.
I'm equally as careful whether i'm running Windows or OSX, i'm not going to be naive and just install anything downloaded from the net or visit questionable sites on either platform because - as these recent publicized events have highlighted - neither platform is completely secure and it would be pretty irresponsible to tell users that they don't have to worry about security just because it's OSX, best to be just as careful no matter what you use. Sure there are less known issues with OSX - even less for most linux or BSD distros - but as their marketshare increases we are seeing instances of infection increase so best to take as much care no matter which platform you're on.
They're trying to prevent malware by installing their own malware.
It is absolutely right to disable Java by default. Even the behaviour of disabling it if not used for a while COULD have been a useful feature IF they turned that behaviour on by default then provided an option to disable it. By taking it out of the user's hands they're just playing nanny. But like any nanny stuck in an office many years and many miles away they can't anticipate the needs of their entire userbase very well. They have just made it a pain for any user to use Java in a browser on their platform. No one needs a computer that decides not to obey settings the user had set (no matter how long ago). Think of what would happen if every setting on your computer set to defaults every week or two.
I can think of ways around this that don't require any technical savvy. Put a local Java applet in as your homepage for instance. But this is clunky. You should be able to say "no I really do know better" and turn on Java.
This is the problem when applying the principle of least privilege. It is also the principle of least innovation and the principle of most annoyance. The bottom line is no one needs access to a computer just to live and breath. Least privilege is oxygen, water, basic food. Wouldn't be much of a fun life.