Most browser support experts agree that one of the most common threats to security with your Web browser are the plugins that are added to them. These are programs that are added to your browsers to enhance your browsing experience and run things like audio or video right in your browser window.
The problem is that as the browsers have become more difficult for malware to breach, those trying to gain access to your information have begun exploiting opportunities that are more readily available with plugins. These plugins include things like Flash, which enhances videos or online games, or even programs that prevent popup ads or scripts from running while you’re trying to browse.
One plugin that has become a focus of hackers is Java. It is an extremely common programming language and computing platform that powers numerous utilities, games and business applications. It also apparently has numerous holes in its programming that is being exploited by hackers.
The makers of Java do send patches to fix these holes whenever they can, so it is important to add updates to your browser as soon as they appear on your computer. However, it seems like as soon as you get a patch to fix one security hole, another one pops up.
The most recent update was sent out Feb. 19, 2013, however a blog on FireEye.com on Feb. 28 reported that a malware was discovered that exploited a hole in the latest version of Java. The blog recommends that you disable Java until a patch is issued to fix this hole.
The next update is due April 16, but it is not known if this will include the patch for this new threat. Java updates come out every few months.
