What Is Java Please.

[cupid04]

I had a message to say I needed to download java, I tried but Norton blocked it as unsafe. Is there anything else I need to do?

[Butterbun]

I think it's a programming language mainly used for games, but someone more up to date with the technology will explain better.

[cupid04]

Thanks Butterbun, I hope so!

[Prudie]

I also think it's something to do with games or ads that have moving scenes. Whatever, I have never allowed a Java update (because I couldn't be bothered) and it hasn't affected my PC as yet!

[dannyk13]

I had the same message which was also blocked by F-secure and Google.

[Butterbun]

I had the same message, nut didn't download. Don't play games on computer.

[Baldric]

Same thing here, ignored it.

[AB Editor]

Nope, don't download anything. We're trying to work out who to hang currently.

[Ken4155]

I first downloaded Java a few years back when i began playing Quadplex Scrabble. Since then i have downloaded regular updates, but my internet security, Macafee, will not allow me to download the latest update. As a result, i can no longer play scrabble online:-( And yet i am able to carry on playing other games including curling which i have just discovered:-)

[cupid04]

Thanks everyone. I won't ignore Norton's advice then.

[ichkeria]

Java is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems a few years ago. it was very much the fad years ago as it was platform-independent - able to run on different types of operating system. Unfortunately the java applet (effectively a computer program hosted by a website which you run on your own machine) which was supposed to be the great innovation, has never been able to be made wholly secure (although it's no different in that respect from other similar things like ActiveX).

You need java on your computer to run applets etc, and there's no harm downloading the latest version of the runtime from the Oracle website . However, as pointed out this is a bogus pop-up and should not be followed. In fact you should always ignore/kill any unexpected popup screen from anywhere.
I had the wretched thing 3 times while typing up a post the other day and had to keep starting again from scratch

[redman41]

I have un-installed Java a long time ago as the site was unsafe !
Too much Malware
Stick with Adobe

[AB Editor]

"I have un-installed Java a long time ago as the site was unsafe!"

Java does have security issues. I disabled it some time ago and only recently had to enable it.

"Stick with Adobe"

It's not an either or - one provides the framework for java applets, the other for adobe's flash products.

Often you won't need either - especially with the rise of html5 video.