Thursday, May 23, 2013

Why is Oracle updating Java so often? DON'T ASK!



It is time for a class action lawsuit against Oracle for the malware it pushes with its Java updates, and maybe it's time for another lawsuit against Oracle for making Java so insecure that it needs so many updates. If Java is so untrustworty, why is anyone still using it?

Maybe Oracle has another reason for pushing so many updates. Maybe Oracle makes its money by pushing updates!


In fact, Oracle is updating Java so often, not because they are so inept at creating reliable software, but because they get a commision on the malware they push with their updates.

For a long time I resisted allowing Java updates on my computer, but when I needed to run an app that required a current Java version number, I finally gave in, and updated Java.

Suddenly I no longer had a reliable computer.

Oracle damaged my search settings in a way I have not been able to completely repair. By replacing my default search with "Ask," Oracle caused me to spend weeks troubleshooting my settings to figure out why my link between Evernote and Google was failing to produce Evernote results when I used my internet search.

I am recovering from a brain injury. I depend on my computer to work the way I set it up so that I can be productive (to the extent possible). When I allowed Oracle to update Java, I saw their checkbox suggesting I use Ask as my search engine. I was annoyed that they would use a mandatory program update to push software, but I was angry when I realized that the check box was already selected. I unchecked it. Then I clicked the button to proceed. As I clicked the button, I saw that check-mark reappear. I tried to stop it. I closed the browser tab. Then I closed the browser completely. Then I reset my computer.

Nothing I did helped. Oracle pushed that update on my computer in spite of my efforts. After my computer had reset, the first thing I did was to uninstall the Ask taskbar program, before I ever started the browser. Unfortunately, Oracle had still replaced my Google search settings with their own settings making Ask my default search engine. There was a time when I liked that tool, but out of principle, I will NEVER USE ASK, and I ask everyone else not to use it also.

Oracle's malicious practice of replacing user settings that are unrelated to their software should be CRIMINAL. Oracle causes all of this damage to thousands of computer users on a regular basis just because they get a small commission for each copy of "Ask" that they install. It's time to make Oracle pay for the damage they do to so many of us, so often. It is time to make Oracle re-think their strategy, by making their Trojan updates too expensive for them to continue, and while we're at it, we should sue Ask as well.

A close look at how Oracle installs deceptive software with Java updates | ZDNet - http://s.shr.lc/WGyYdn

2 comments:

nutty-prof said...

I do ask, because it is an absolute waste of time. Java used to be a simple, reliable piece of software, and in its original format was no vehicle for viruses, trojans or other nonsense. But now?? Oracle has messed it up so bad that almost anything would be better. The simplest of applications suddenly stops, and to get it to run again you have to waste half an hour updating. If someone would come up with a better idea, I would gladly pay for the service - Oracle I want to ditch as soon as I can.

David Lloyd said...

I have uninstalled Java from all of my machines. I have a single virtual XP machine that sandboxes copy of Chrome with Java installed for when I must use it.

My personal preference is PHP. Keep the software on the server, so clients are never exposed. I do use some JavaScript when I must do client-side web design, but I avoid it as much as possible.