I see it as a problem with accepting an unknown application to run on your desktop. Java is enabled by default, however that is only for regular Java applets, that follow the normal rules of security (can't open sockets, can't do anything to the hard drive,...). When a java applet needs to access local resources or perform tasks outside of the Java security, it requires that the user accept (known as signed applets). Many online school cources have this type of applet running to allow full applications to be run on the users desktop. After the user accepts the signed applet, then the applet becomes a regular desktop application, and has access to virtually everything. That is the whole purpose of signed applets, and is not a bug. This is a situation of someone taking advantage of ignorance. Just like when you download a regular application from the web, you should only accept signed Java applets if you are sure who is sending you the applet. Do not click "Yes" in the warning window, if you don't recognize the website trying to run the applet.
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I see it as a problem with accepting an unknown application to run on your desktop. Java is enabled by default, however that is only for regular Java applets, that follow the normal rules of security (can't open sockets, can't do anything to the hard drive, ...). When a java applet needs to access local resources or perform tasks outside of the Java security, it requires that the user accept (known as signed applets). Many online school cources have this type of applet running to allow full applications to be run on the users desktop. After the user accepts the signed applet, then the applet becomes a regular desktop application, and has access to virtually everything. That is the whole purpose of signed applets, and is not a bug. This is a situation of someone taking advantage of ignorance. Just like when you download a regular application from the web, you should only accept signed Java applets if you are sure who is sending you the applet. Do not click "Yes" in the warning window, if you don't recognize the website trying to run the applet.