HomeThere are some things that you can do to protect yourself though. Netscape and Internet Explorer both allow you to prevent Java applets from running. For Netscape users, disable Java by selecting Edit > Advanced and removing the Enable Java check box. IE users need to disable Java Permissions in the Security tab of Internet Options. To do this, select Tools > Internet Options > Security. Highlight the Internet zone and select Custom Level. In the Security Settings window, scroll down to Java Permissions and click on Disable Java. You must completely disable Java Permissions since clicking on High Safety will not prevent this vulnerability.
If disabling Java is an unacceptable solution for you, then IE does offer more
alt="" width="241" height="300" /> security setting flexibility than Netscape. Zones let you categorize the Internet by how much you trust the sites that you visit. By restricting Java Permissions for the general Internet zone but enabling it for Trusted Site zone you can protect yourself without restricting the functionality of your bank's web site. To take advantage of this IE feature, click on Trusted Sites and add your favorite sites to this zone.
By defect or design, this vulnerability can be very annoying, especially since its effects could be blamed on one hundred and one other causes. If nothing else, this serves as another reminder that your security on the information super highway is strictly your responsibility.
August 1st, 2009