Apple releases new Java update, uninstalls Apple-provided Java applet
Apple has released a new Java update called Java for OS X 2013-005. According to the release notes, the update "delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility for Java SE 6. Java for OS X 2013-005 supersedes all previous versions of Java for OS X."
Of note, however, is another addendum to the update that reveals it will also uninstall older Apple-provided Java applet plug-ins:
This update uninstalls the Apple-provided Java applet plug-in from all web browsers. To use applets on a web page, click on the region labeled "Missing plug-in" to go download the latest version of the Java applet plug-in from Oracle.
Java has long been a source of OS X security flaws, which is why Apple stopped pre-installing it on new OS X devices. The removal of Apple's older Java applet plug-ins with this latest update shows just how cautious Apple is regarding Java exploits.
The update can be downloaded by running Software Update on your Mac. The update is available for Mac OS X v10.6.8, Mac OS X Server v10.6.8, OS X Lion v10.7 or later, OS X Lion Server v10.7 or later and OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 or later.
