Java is a programming language and computing platform which is used on many websites to allow for the interactive aspects on the website to operate.

If not for Java, many websites would require a program to be installed and run every time you go to the website. Java, which is free, allows web developers to create sites so that users can do all sorts of activities (such as online banking, document management sites and the like) without the need to install a program for it to run and function.

Yes. Java sends out updates to enhance performance, stability and security of the programs which are running via Java.

Since Windows and other operating systems are patching up security holes, malware authors are getting into computers through third party programs. One of the common attempts is by using Java to get into a computer and spread malware.

Kaspersky Labs, a leader in anti-virus protection, listed the top ten highly critical vulnerabilities exploited by hackers in 2011. Two involved Java; however, six of the ten were related to Adobe Flash Player. Any third party program can be exploited, and Java is just the latest.

There is a new virus which compromises the security of your computer by enabling the author of the virus to either access your computer, or launch malicious attacks from your computer using Java. This virus was considered a “zero day exploit,” which means there was no fix or patch at that moment. Now that there is a fix for this security hole, we highly advise updating Java to the latest version to avoid being vulnerable to the virus. One can download the latest version from Java’s website, or when the popup displays on the bottom of your screen, click to update to the newest version, which contains the patch.