Apple removes Java plug-in from all OS X browsers

Oracle is under fire for its lax security because the company takes months to patch critical security vulnerabilities. Security researchers recommend disabling the Java plug-in if you don't frequently use it, and now Apple even goes as far as to remove the Java plug-in from all OS X browsers.

ARS Technica explains the update was pushed out on Wednesday to protect users against exploits.

Users who install the update will find a browser placeholder when they encounter Web-based content that requires Java, according to Sophos security researcher Paul Ducklin. "If you want to run Java applets in your browser on Mac OS X, you need to install the official Oracle Java runtime on the system to do that," another blogger on ghacks.net wrote. "Yes, that runs them in parallel with Apple's version for Java. For users that need both, it means to take care of two versions of Java on the system from that moment on."

Wednesday's update is the latest example of Apple distancing itself from Java. Apple stopped including pre-installed versions of Java in OS X and instead gives users the option to install the framework. More recently, Apple issued an update that turns off Java in the browser when users haven't used it recently.