Kevin Bryant, a computer tech and owner of Media Esteem Business Services in Barriere, says he wants to warn the general public about some nasty computer viruses that are currently making the rounds.
“Over the last few weeks,” Bryant stated, “I have seen some really bad viruses; destructive viruses that are invading the computers through a popular program called Java. Destructive viruses cause a lot of hassles for computer users, not to mention repair costs; and this could be just the tip, since 99.9 per cent of computers have Java installed (including Macs).”
Java is a computer language that enables programmers to write software utilizing just one set of code that will run on virtually any type of computer, including ones that use Microsoft Corp’s Windows, Apple Inc.’s OS X and Linux, an operating system widely employed by corporations.
Computer users access Java programs through modules, or plug-ins, that run Java software on top of browsers such as Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Hackers have figured out a way to exploit Java to install malicious software enabling them to commit crimes ranging from identity theft to making an infected computer part of an ad-hoc network of computers that can be used to attack websites.
Bryant tells that Oracle, the company that owns Java, is working on a fix for the problem, but until their fix is ready, it is recommended to disable the Java plug-in on your computer.
Bryant also noted, “A lot of Facebook games might not work with Java disabled, so in the meantime we just have to wait for Oracle to release the solution to this virus.”