Apple Blocking JAVA on Macs

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jamesrt

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Topic # 113935 1-Feb-2013 22:21

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/8251915/Apple-blocks-Java-on-Macs-due-to-vulnerabilities

This is why I run Firefox - at least that way, *I* can make informed decisions and stay in control of what *I* want *MY* computer to run...

Firefox at least offers me the option to run a Java app if I want to; the Safari block seems to have no override option.

I notice that someone has commented on the Stuff article:

Wait, let me get this right. Apple has the power to tell all Mac's what software they can and can't run? So Apple could disable all software from their competitors (i.e. Microsoft, Google, etc)? That's outrageous!

I'm fairly sure that is over-simplifying the issue; hopefully, it's just a Safari plug-in block (which Firefox can also do); but I can appreciate the sentiment...

gzt

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Reply # 754670 2-Feb-2013 08:42

From the average user point of view this is a good decision. There are severe vulnerabilities here which have been clearly demonstrated. Average user does not want to be reading security all day and implementing mitigation every time something like this comes up.

Behodar

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Reply # 754681 2-Feb-2013 09:00

I agree, it's horrendously bad for Apple to be able to block legitimate apps (using a feature that was advertised as anti-malware) with no notification and no knowledge base article on how to re-enable them. I've disabled Xprotect updates on my systems after what happened last time, but if the blacklist has already been updated then this doesn't re-enable the affected apps. The only solution that I'm aware of is to hand-edit the blacklist file.

Edit: What on earth?! As mentioned above I disabled the blacklist updates but just tried to use a Java-based site and it has *STILL BLOCKED IT*. What the hell is the point of having an option if the system ignores it?!

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jamesrt

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Reply # 754688 2-Feb-2013 09:16

gzt: From the average user point of view this is a good decision. There are severe vulnerabilities here which have been clearly demonstrated. Average user does not want to be reading security all day and implementing mitigation every time something like this comes up.

Agree entirely - my point, however, is that Apple have (one again!) provided NO CHOICE over this block. In my opinion, there should be an override - a "yes, I'm aware of the risk, let me do it anyway" option; I don't know if there is a "whitelist" for trusted websites, which would be absolutely 100% required in the corporate world. Providing "auto stupid-user safety" is good, but so is providing "power-user control"; Apple do the first well, pity they consistently ignore the second.

Behodar

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Reply # 754705 2-Feb-2013 09:46

Java Update 13 re-enables the plugin, but I'm still trying to find out why it got disabled in the first place when my system was set to not automatically install security updates.