Apple rolls out a new Java update that removes Flashback malware

On Thursday afternoon, Apple released a software update they say fixes the security hole inside of Java that permitted the Flashback Trojan to infect over 600,000 Macs worldwide. This new update, named simply Java for OS X 2012-003, will remove all the traces of the Flashback malware and its “most common variants,” while providing protection for users by configuring the web plug-in to disable the automatic execution of Java applets.
This new security update comes just a couple days after Apple announced they were quickly working on an tool for mac users to entirely remove the malware infection that, by exploiting a Java security hole, could install itself without user consent.
While companies such as F-Secure and Kaspersky already offered Flash malware removal tools to OS X users, its nice to see Apple’s quick reaction to this security problem that has affected Mac users worldwide.

Apple’s software update reads:

This update also configures the Java web plug-in to disable the automatic execution of Java applets. Users may re-enable automatic execution of Java applets using the Java Preferences application. If the Java web plug-in detects that no applets have been run for an extended period of time it will again disable Java applets.
This update is recommended for all Mac users with Java installed.

To get the new software Java update, launch Software Update on your Mac and click on the Check Now button.

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