Is Java safe?

[johnnyTheMac]

Hello,

 

I am looking to run Limelight for PC to PC game streaming. I think that I have to install Java for that to run. I have read things about Java having some vulnerabilities and not being too safe. Is that true? Should I worry about install Java on my machine?

 

Thank you in advance for any and all help!

[Meawa]

Just get the latest version and you'll be fine

[Godlygamer23]

If you have to use Java, you have to use it. It does have some security issues.

[spenser_l]

Java is probably one of the most downloaded pieces of software in the world. You probably will end up needing it for something else in the future, as many things are created using Java. Don't worry about its safety.

[zlolslavez]

Java itself isn't dangerous, programs that run on Java have the potential to be, but it is one of the most used languages in the world. (Still behind C but I'm pretty sure Java is second)

[TheKDub]

Yes, java is perfectly safe.

[Opcode]

Java is a huge security hole with the way it handles everything. Although you should be fine running it as long as you don't come by anything that exploits it.

[johnnyTheMac]

-snip-

Well, thanks for pointing out that I know nothing about this topic...hence the reason, why I posted the question. Is it not best to ask if you don't know?

 

Just get the latest version and you'll be fine

 

 

If you have to use Java, you have to use it. It does have some security issues.

 

 

Java is probably one of the most downloaded pieces of software in the world. You probably will end up needing it for something else in the future, as many things are created using Java. Don't worry about its safety.

 

 

Java itself isn't dangerous, programs that run on Java have the potential to be, but it is one of the most used languages in the world. (Still behind C but I'm pretty sure Java is second)

 

 

Yes, java is perfectly safe.

Thank you everyone for the responses!

 

I just get a little paranoid about my gadgets. I just got a Surface Pro 3 and I want to stream games from my gaming rig to the SP3. I tried Steam In-Home Streaming, but some games, like Far Cry 4, do not have controller support. I hear that Limelight is the way to go.

 

I guess, if I really wanted to, I could return the SP3 and get a Shield Tablet, but I have read things about the cracked edges, wifi and Bluetooth issues.

 

Do you all know anything about Limelight on the PC?

[SleathX1]

LOOOOLOLOLOLL

Are you serious?

 

Yes! That's like asking if Skype is safe to download >_>

But Skype isn't safe.....

[Godlygamer23]

Do you all know anything about Limelight on the PC?

I just read up on it a little bit.

[johnnyTheMac]

I just read up on it a little bit.

I am, but I thought I would get a head start by starting a discussion.

[Lolzious]

But Skype isn't safe.....

._. pls explane :'c

It was just an example anyways

[Lolzious]

Well, thanks for pointing out that I know nothing about this topic...hence the reason, why I posted the question. Is it not best to ask if you don't know?

It would have been faster to just google it though..

[SleathX1]

._. pls explane :'c

It was just an example anyways

Haha yeah I know

 

A few months back it was discovered that your super-specific IP address is very easy to access... I'm not the best person to ask haha...

I'll provide more info in a minute.

[Dzzope]

Yes, java is perfectly safe.

It all depends on the implementation of the code.. It's not that Java or JS, or PHP or anything else is inherently safe or dangerous, it's more about what stupid things developers do when creating a program / app.

 

Nothing is completely safe, it's about being smart about what you run and how you secure your network.

[Dzzope]

Haha yeah I know

 

A few months back it was discovered that your super-specific IP address is very easy to access... I'm not the best person to ask haha...

I'll provide more info in a minute.

Skype works peer to peer, so if you send someone a message, it's very easy to get your IP but there are many other ways to get that info anyway.

[SleathX1]

Haha yeah I know

 

A few months back it was discovered that your super-specific IP address is very easy to access... I'm not the best person to ask haha...

I'll provide more info in a minute.

 

http://lifehacker.com/skype-security-flaw-may-allow-intruders-to-listen-throu-1674349695

http://akademie.dw.de/digitalsafety/think-skype-is-safe-think-again/

 

These are old links but you get the idea. This stuff has been going on for quite a while and it is sorta-well-known that it's not safe.

[TheKDub]

It all depends on the implementation of the code.. It's not that Java or JS, or PHP or anything else is inherently safe or dangerous, it's more about what stupid things developers do when creating a program / app.

 

Nothing is completely safe, it's about being smart about what you run and how you secure your network.

 

Exactly, Java itself is safe, though some programs that some people make can be harmful to your PC.

[GoodBytes]

No software is secure at 100%. The more popular it is, the more bad people will work to find vulnerabilities as an entry point to your system to do bad things.

Ok, fiiiiiiine, a blank window program that does nothing, or even less, such as a blank command line is probably 100% safe as it no functionality, but you get the point.

Like all popular software, it is best to keep them full updated and security vulnerabilities are found and fixed.

[LosBonscos]

Yep ! Save ! i use it now for 4 yrs, and never had a problem with it... i also had never a antivirus-program and never a virus trojan ... whatever

you just need to pay attention what you dowenload.

If somebody really wants to get your data youre screwed anyway !

[bob345]

its perfectly safe. Just make sure you keep it up to date and you wont have any issues.

[dalekphalm]

-snip-

Please stop being a dick to people who aren't knowledgeable in this area. It might seem "obvious" to you, but @johnnyTheMac came here to ask this question precisely because he didn't know.

 

Also, as others have pointed out, Skype is not really that safe. If someone can find out your Skype user name (Such as 90% of forum users here who post it on their profile), then they can resolve your personal IP Address from that user name. With that IP Address, they can DDOS your home internet connection, or perform other directed attacks against you.

 

Java is a huge security hole with the way it handles everything. Although you should be fine running it as long as you don't come by anything that exploits it.

Exactly. Java itself (as in the download installer file) is fine, but 90% of exploits and viruses out there on the web use Java in some form. That's also why Java constantly has updates (Like once a week sometimes), because they keep finding exploits and security holes and need to constantly patch them.

 

._. pls explane :'c

It was just an example anyways

See above.

 

@johnnyTheMac as long as you keep Java up to date, and don't open any .js files you find randomly on the web, then you should be fine. I would also check your browser/java settings to make sure it asks for permission before running any Java Code it finds on a website.

[X_Rated_Box]

lel

[Counter-Strike Player]

Hello,

 

I am looking to run Limelight for PC to PC game streaming. I think that I have to install Java for that to run. I have read things about Java having some vulnerabilities and not being too safe. Is that true? Should I worry about install Java on my machine?

 

Thank you in advance for any and all help!

 

Here's the best advice you're gonna get. The trouble is with Java web applets that can arbitrary execute code straight from a webpage. Your best option is to disable Java from the browser and have it run standalone so your apps like Minecraft will run without a hitch. Java web applets are REALLY out of style these days considering the security implications and just about the only people who use them anymore are college lab professors (who are old) and who want you to do chem/physics homework while on-campus. You can easily go into your Java control panel in the start menu (assuming you don't have win8 ) -> configure java -> security tab -> and simply uncheck "enable Java content in the browser." It's really that simple and your Minecraft isn't going to be affected by this change.

 

And, be diligent about updating to the latest versions of Java. Don't be a grandad and still "prefer to use Java 6." Here's a handy rss feed from Oracle's security team so you can stay on top of updates without manually checking all the time: http://blogs.oracle.com/security/feed/entries/rss

 

 

But Skype isn't safe....

 

If MS is never going to fix the P2P issue with Skype (since "misconfigured clients with open UPnP ports" ultimately saves MS a ton of bandwidth) and temp resolvers are always going to exist, then I suggest a cheap $5 monthly VPN when you want to use Skype. Depending on local nodes, your ping will suffer at least 25-30ms during gaming, but I think it's a good compromise. Just don't be an idiot and leak your IP using Chrome's still-broken webRTC stun-server lookup.

[johnnyTheMac]

Thank you, everyone, for the tips and advice. I truly appreciate it. I decided to just go with an Android device to not only serve for streaming, but general entertainment consumption. All of you tips and info was very informative and helpful, though, and I do thank you again.