Updates Java

[emmie]

pop up boxes keep on reminding me to update Java and Adobe reader, is this necessary, if i am honest i don't even know what they are for.
i recall clicking yes to an update and it installed a tool bar which i didn't want. so had to ask for help to get rid of it, so i am now wary of installing anything.

[Old_Geezer]

Java is called on to achieve all sorts of things by other application that assume it is there. Adobe reader opens up .pdf files so you can read them.

Yes scummy industry malpractice does mean they try to sneak in installations of things you never asked for along with the thing you did ask for. Usually there is a small preticked box they hope you miss to untick so they can make the false claim that you agreed with the additional installation but I'm unconvinced they al do even that. It's unacceptable but what can you do ?

All you can do is stay vigilant when going through all those pre install pop-up screens.

(You should try some of the well known download sites where the button you need to click is hidden amongst all the ad ones that look as if they are the ones to click, but are not.)

[emmie]

any tech help is welcome.

[emmie]

sorry we crossed posts.

[emmie]

that is the problem, not to mention that firefox installed a new update, without so much as my intervention

[Old_Geezer]

Has it a setting that shows automatic update ?

[emmie]

check for updates, but let me choose when to install, that is in the
tools, advanced box, ticked. so i am not sure whether to update Java and Adobe, because i don't want the hassle like last time. I just wanted to know what they are for. The pop up boxes happen as open up computer.

[rockyracoon]

From what I read a nasty virus was getting in through Java and Adobe, the one from the FBI that locks your computer and tells you to pay huge sums to release it. I'd update.

[Old_Geezer]

You can probably run on older version for java if you want to but the pop up are probably going to continue. And it is more secure to keep up with the latest version. Unless you uninstall it altogether and accept the limitations it's probably best to keep it updated. Adobe reader is useful, and is probably used by your browser. There are alternatives, such as Foxit Reader if you wanted, but they will need updating on a regular basis also.

[rockyracoon]

Just as an aside, I wouldn't necessarily trust a popup telling you to update, go to the actual website of Java and adobe to look for an update.

[bibblebub]

Something that can help prevent unwanted installations is Unchecky http://unchecky.com/ It seems to do what it is says (I'm quite careful with installations anyway) but there's probably no 100% guarantee.

Here's the video of it in action:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzb_SHxt-o8

[emmie]

i am miffed that forefox 27.1 installed itself. i had no input, the box appeared already running as i opened the computer.

[pauln90]

For the last 3 days I have had constant reminders to update Java,only I might add when using Answerbank. The reminder takes up the full screen and had become quite annoying. I didn't update as a comment from AB editor on another thread advised against it. Yesterday I ran Malwarebytes and so far the update messages have stopped.

[emmie]

i have been getting these for ages, they are annoying. As i mentioned the last time i clicked yes for one of these updates the damn thing installed stuff i couldn't get shot of, as i recall i posted the question on here how to uninstall or get rid of it, one was the tool bar, fair peed me off

[Buenchico]

As has been recognised above, pop-ups advising you to update any software (including Java) can simply be a trick to get you to add something very nasty (such as Cryptolocker) to your computer. However nobody seems to have considered how the pop-ups got there in the first place. They usually arrive through low-level malware (which is relatively easy to get onto your computer). So the first line of defence should be try to get rid of that malware. [Then you won't have the pop-ups, so you can't be tempted to take an unwise action].

Please refer to my post here for the software you'll need, together with relevant notes:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1317907.html

[HansUrbancka]

I would question whether Java is really needed.? In fact I manage without it and, as it attracts viruses and malware, I have removed it completely from my computers. It's easy to remove and if you should really need it then it's just as easy to re-download.

http://www.java.com/en/download/help/uninstall_java.xml

[AB Editor]

If it's the dodgy one from the ads here - I've been trying to hunt them down today and yesterday. Hopefully it's done, but if you spot more, please email them to me and I'll do my best to get rid.

[emmie]

thank you but this seems to happen as i open out the computer, but will try and keep an eye out

[craft1948]

I got an update reminder from Java yesterday, when I clicked the update button Norton blocked it as a rogue download site

[HansUrbancka]

If things are going haywire when you 'boot-up' your computer, I feel sure you have some malware which needs to be removed.

Takes the above advice ^^^^ from Buenchicho, and proceed accordingly.

Hans.

[emmie]

thank you.