42

Each time I get a Java security update, I have to remember to untick the box to install the yahoo toolbar browser plugin that they've decided, for some mad reason, is an important security feature of Java. Is there a way to get it to remember my choice, or to get the security updates without it? Or to educate Sun about what is and isn't a security update?

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    This is not really a programming-related question but I agree too much to close it.
    – Aaron Digulla
    Mar 10, 2009 at 13:01
  • 2
    Not only this, but once you perform a manual update, you must go back to the Java control panel and re-disable the "Check for updates automatically" option. It gets turned on with every update. I dislike Sun's practices with their updater very much.
    – JYelton
    Feb 22, 2010 at 14:37
  • If there's a command-line or console based update tool that might not have the Yahoo! Toolbar option, OR it might be much easier to bypass (such as with a script). However, I have no idea if there such a thing...
    – FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
    Jan 14, 2011 at 16:59

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
10

Two points...

If you do not want the added software you only have two options.

  1. Continue to uncheck the box and keep your automatic updates.

  2. Use the offline installer at java.sun.com. The offline installer has not added software. If you are industrious or know someone excellent with batch files you could write a script to check their ftp servers, compare file names, download a new one if present and then do a silent install.

That's about it...

I'd write the batch file for you but I really don't know how. ;)

Here is help with silent installs - http://download.oracle.com/javase/1.4.2/docs/guide/plugin/developer_guide/silent.html

Improve this answer
5

Maybe block toolbar.yahoo.com at the router?

I had to come down to my father's house to unblock his email client after he hit the wrong option in a firewall requester after updating the email client.

When I checked the link in the email he was waiting for I noticed the Yahoo toolbar that Java had sneaked into an update.

After removing it using the add-on system in Firefox, I added toolbar.yahoo.com to the blocked list in the router, I guess I'll find out if it worked next time they push an update.

Improve this answer
2

I never install java... I just copy it and manually set it to my classpath and other variables as needed to start the application.

Of course I do not get auto updates... then again.. maybe I do not want auto updates ! This ensures that I remain in control of my deployed environment and as a bonus... My toolbars are free of yahoo junk !

then again... that does snot really answer the question though

Improve this answer
3
  • That won't get you any browser plugin either, right? Of course, when not using the browser plugin, you're better of NOT installing it. But if installing it, then the automatic update is kind of a requirement nowadays, to ensure safe browsing.
    – Arjan
    Jan 13, 2011 at 19:50
  • Why oh why did this have to get voted so high when it even says that it doesn't actually answer the question...
    – SamB
    Jan 14, 2011 at 21:23
  • Hmm, I guess not getting the browser plugins isn't really too relevant anymore, what with Oracle doing all they can to make theirs useless and all.
    – SamB
    May 26, 2015 at 20:26
1

I used this, don't know if it actually works, we'll see.

https://www.java.com/en/download/faq/disable_offers.xml

How do I install Java without third party sponsor offers?

Releases of Java may provide a third party sponsor offer for users to install. If you wish to install Java without being presented any third party sponsor offers, there are a couple options.

Option 1: Disable sponsors through the Java Control Panel (Recommended method) Option 2: Disable by installing Java through a specific Command Prompt method

Improve this answer
4
  • "I used this, don't know if it actually works, we'll see." - before you post a possible solution you really should verify it works. Perhaps you should stick to more current answers, so your not answering questions, based on stuff you "used to know"
    – Ramhound
    Oct 20, 2016 at 18:46
  • Well, it worked for me. Haven't had problem anymore. Your mileage might vary, depending on your configuration, Java version etc. I did not test all possible (including future changes) combinations.
    – tapiov
    Dec 4, 2016 at 7:19
  • Plus my solution did not include phrase you made up "used to know". Don't know where that came from.
    – tapiov
    Dec 4, 2016 at 7:21
  • I quoted you, word for word, see the very first sentence in your answer........
    – Ramhound
    Dec 4, 2016 at 16:26
0

The Yahoo! Toolbar is supposedly easy to uninstall : How do I uninstall Yahoo! Toolbar?.

Once uninstalled, I suggest changing Java automatic updates :
Control Panel -> Java -> Update tab -> Set Notify Me to "Before downloading", OK.

This will notify you when a update is available, and will let you manually update Java, thus getting the option of refusing the Yahoo! Toolbar.

It is a good idea to keep a visual control of what Java Update is doing. Since Sun was bought by Oracle, it is no longer trust-worthy, being much more marketing-oriented.

In general, one should keep all products up to date, not only Java. As most software products do not have automatic update, regularly running an update monitor such as SUMo is recommended.

Improve this answer
8
  • Will the industrious person distributing all these under-votes please justify himself?
    – harrymc
    Jan 11, 2011 at 9:51
  • 2
    I didn't vote, but this particular answer is recommending that you disable automatic updates for software that has had recent security vulnerabilities. That's a bad idea. It also doesn't answer the question.
    – TREE
    Jan 11, 2011 at 21:33
  • @TREE: I didn't take into account that most people don't use regularly an update monitor like I do, so I rewrote my answer. In any case, as most Java developers have left Sun, I still doubt the necessity of automatic update.
    – harrymc
    Jan 12, 2011 at 7:20
  • @harrymc: What is this "Sun" you speak of? (And where can I find it?)
    – SamB
    Jan 14, 2011 at 21:21
  • @SamB: Sun Microsystems is the company that developed Java and many other open-source products. It is their owner. Unfortunately, it was recently bought by Oracle, which forced on it a profit-making culture that badly suited many developers in Sun, so they left.
    – harrymc
    Jan 14, 2011 at 21:31
0

On the mac, there's a check-box at the bottom of the "Advanced" tab

https://www.java.com/en/download/faq/disable_offers.xml

Improve this answer
1
  • This was already suggested years ago in another answer.
    – Ramhound
    Feb 8, 2016 at 13:18

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .