Java Update

[Larry]

I have a new system, and am new to XP. I just got an icon in my notification
tray telling me I have Java (TM) updates available to be downloaded to my
computer by Java(TM) Updates. It says it's Java 2 Runtime Environment,
v1.4.2_06-b03. Does anyone have any idea what this is, and whether I should
allow it. I don't know how it got to me, I'm behind a router and have
McAfee, spybot and MSAS. Nothing has flagged it as a threat, so far. Need a
little help please, figuring out what to do with this. Thanks.

 

[R. McCarty]

Just like Windows Automatic Updates, most programs have a type
of Automatic updating feature that checks at a fixed interval for new
updates.
However in your case, you should probably get Java 5 or 1.5 from
the Sun Java site.
- Also you can disable or control the Auto-Updating on most of
these applications in their preferences or Update options field.

 

[Larry]

So you think it's probably valid and I should allow it? You think it came
with some program I have installed? How could I verify that it is OK to
download?

 

[R. McCarty]

It's probably a "Valid" function of Sun Java. Not harmful, in & of
itself - but best to have a Software firewall in place that will Warn
you of unsolicited/automatic network actions.
The process is done to help automate updates for users. I allow a
few programs that latitude and others, I update myself -manually.
Security on the web is difficult enough and I don't want every app
on my machine "Trolling-the-Web" daily to update itself.

 

[McGillacutty]

I have a new system, and am new to XP. I just got an icon in my
notification tray telling me I have Java (TM) updates available to be
downloaded to my computer by Java(TM) Updates. It says it's Java 2 Runtime
Environment, v1.4.2_06-b03. Does anyone have any idea what this is, and
whether I should allow it. I don't know how it got to me, I'm behind a
router and have McAfee, spybot and MSAS. Nothing has flagged it as a
threat, so far. Need a little help please, figuring out what to do with
this. Thanks.

Some Web sites won't work fully without using Java.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a new system, and am new to XP. I just got an icon in my notification
tray telling me I have Java (TM) updates available to be downloaded to my
computer by Java(TM) Updates. It says it's Java 2 Runtime Environment,
v1.4.2_06-b03. Does anyone have any idea what this is, and whether I should
allow it.

If a genuine one, it relates to the Sun Java virtual machine. But I
have seen cases of such a message being spurious, and going to a hidden
site that downloads malware.

Check at http://java.com/en/download/windows_xpi.jsp directly and use
the Verify button - that will tell you