Get rid of Java?

[shamrin]

OK, I've just had it with Java. I don't know what Oracle is thinking but what an incredible virus magnet and now malware product they have turned this thing into.

It's part of our procedure here to uninstall old Java versions and to installed the latest one, especially on machines in for virus removal. When Oracle's Foistware consisted of just McAfee Security Scan, well, that wasn't too bad but now they are trying to change your search settings. It's just getting to be too much. I can't send naive customers off telling them to update Java every time it asks, "but watch out for those tiny checkboxes!".

Has anyone ever tried simply uninstalling Java on client computers? Did it cause any downstream problems?

 

[SilverLeaf]

I routinely remove Java during tune-ups and virus removals if I'm reasonably sure they don't have a specific need for it. When they come to pick it up, I explain why, and let them know that most users don't really need it anyway. Haven't had a problem yet.

If I were a betting man though, I would wager that some customers have probably since re-installed it so they could play some game or some such.

 

[moss]

I work in the NHS (National Health Service) and we no choice but to leave old vulnerable versions of Java, IE and alike on certain machines due to software dependencies.
We've got PCs out there with IE6 on, our domain is being held back by an NT4 domain controller, we have some software which depends on that DC on and the replacement isn't ready. At the same time we're running mostly modern servers, SANS, fast WAN links etc.
None of this is my choice unfortunately, its out of my hands.

 

[NYJimbo]

I think we covered this many times before. All you need is to hear a customer say "I went to a site that wanted me to install flash or java, what do I do ?"

I remove the old version, install new ones (flash,java,shockwave) and if possible set them to auto update and give it back to the customer (after doing all the other stuff).

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

. I can't send naive customers off telling them to update Java every time it asks, "but watch out for those tiny checkboxes!".

I've been telling people that for well over 3 or 4 years with the web players updates..."uncheck the me-too-ware". What's different about the current release than the past several years? Nada!

As most of my clients are businesses...SMBs....they need Java, so no luck uninstalling it. Too many of their needed apps 'n services rely on it.

 

[Pieinacup]

In DK it's a friggin pain because of Nem ID.. It's used for a lot of stuff.. webbanking, public services etc.

May I propose a script to prevent checkboxes? Bit of a hassle if you can't deploy it yourself, but it makes sure it's done right.

Java shouldn't really be deployed on a pc unless everything potentially using it is shut down. @$!# BEEP program.

 

[BillMoney]

I remove Java completely, update adobe

 

[SAG]

My clients need Java, some need older versions. Changes in the back end come slow in the healthcare industry. For instance, quite a few medical sites still ONLY support IE8.

This is where managed services comes through.
But this is business clients here... I guess mom-and-pop are a different story.

 

[angry_geek]

Don't get me started on the Illinois Medicaid eligibility site! I'm sure it would be nice to just get rid of Java. Meanwhile, here in the real world . . .

 

[Pieinacup]

We must learn to appreciate Java, otherwise disaster awaits us all!

Sorry if this has been posted before, but it's awesome