The US government is recommending that you update to the latest version of Java, but also make sure to disable the browser plugin.

This will bring up a new tab. Find the item on the list that reads just plain “Java” and click below it where it says “Disable” in blue. Restart your browser.

Learn how to uninstall or disable Java on your Windows computer and how to disable Java plugin in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera browser.

Step 4: To turn off the Java Runtime in all of your browsers, from inside the Java Control Panel, click or tap on the Security tab, then deselect the box marked Enable Java Content in the Browser.

Starting with Java SE 7 Update 10 (Java 7u10), Oracle added a new level of controls, he noted. For example, the company added the ability to disable any Java application running in the browser.

IMPORTANT: The article below was written in August 2012, in response to a security scare involving Java. Although that particular scare has now passed for users who have kept their Java installation ...

For those who refuse to part with Java--even until Oracle issues a fix for the latest exploitable bug--researchers Andre Di Mino and Mila Parkour have created their own patch for the vulnerability ...

Now is the time to disable Java in your web browser, or even remove it from your system if that is practical. Why? The bad guys are hard at work trying to exploit a zero day vulnerability in the ...

Oracle Corp. today released an update for its Java SE software that fixes at least 42 security flaws in the widely-installed program and associated browser plugin.

Updates also should be available via the Java Control Panel or from Java.com. Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) users who have Java should check Software Update for any available updates.