Tag: Java

Check Your Java For Explotability

A quick tip tonight for people with Java installed on their computers. Generally, there are three principles regarding the safe usage of computer software: If you weren’t looking for it then don’t install it on your device, If you do need the software then always keep it up to date, If you no longer need …

Continue reading

Disable Java in Mac OS X

Here’s a tip for Mac OS X users out there that want to tighten up the security on their computers given recent exploits targeting Java and the slow release of updates from Apple. The simplest way to turn off Java is by searching for “Java Preferences” in the Spotlight search and opening it. Once opened, …

Continue reading

Specify a Particular Version of Java for Self-Hosted Applets

Yesterday, I looked at how you can run an older version of Java in parallel with an existing installation and then explicitly use the older version for all Java applications. Whilst this is an easy solution to implement it does create potential security risks for computers that are using older versions of Java containing known …

Continue reading

Run Parallel Installations of Older Versions of Java

Java Control Panel

Sometimes when you update software to the latest revision it can sometimes break stuff or cause unexpected behaviour to surface. One such example is a particular Java applet I use from time to time and Java 6 Update 24 that was recently released which completely breaks the copy and paste functionality due to enhanced security …

Continue reading

Don’t Need It? Don’t Install It!

These days with gigabytes of RAM and terabytes of hard drive space inside our computers it can be all too easy to give in and install anything and everything without much regard for the impact upon the performance of your system. Furthermore, it is still fairly common to receive new laptops and desktop machines full …

Continue reading

Force Secure HTTP with NoScript

NoScript - HTTPS Settings

Yesterday, I blogged about how FireSheep made it quite easy for the average person to impersonate other users on social networking websites that were using the same insecure wireless network. The simplest thing a user can do is to force secure HTTP (or HTTPS – HyperText Transport Protocol Secure) but this can be a chore …

Continue reading

Java Applications With Incorrect Timestamps – Check Your Java Timezone Version

Another quick one tonight. At work, I use BusinessObjects Enterprise which runs on top of a Java platform. After daylight savings had clicked over a colleague brought to my attention that object timestamps were now one hours behind what they should be. This turned out to be an issue with the timezone data in the …

Continue reading

Keep YouTube Videos for Posterity with KeepVid

KeepVid Video Link Submission

I’m sure we have all come across a YouTube video or two that, for one reason or another, became an instant favourite or stirred up some sort of nostalgia for the old days. Whilst broadband speeds have been increasing and video sharing has become more popular, sometimes it isn’t so possible to get to YouTube …

Continue reading

LogMeIn – Remote Desktop Made Easy

LogMeIn (Remote Desktop)

Have you ever been away from home and found yourself needing to access a file or document on a computer at home or perhaps an important e-mail that you don’t seem to have on your phone? Perhaps you are one of those people that is often called upon to help people with their computer problems …

Continue reading