me101 Veteran Posted July 20, 2001 Veteran Share Posted July 20, 2001 Through statements made to the press this week, Microsoft said it is no longer bundling a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) with Windows XP. The company said that instead, its users can choose to download a VM from Microsoft or other third-party vendors. But testing conducted by developers associated with non-profit group POSSIE (People for Open, Safe and Secure Internet and Email) indicates the Internet Explorer (IE) browser will not recognize VM downloads from Sun Microsystems or IBM in Release Candidate 1 of XP. Microsoft also indicated previous versions of Windows being upgraded to the new XP would maintain the VM, and that only new installations of the desktop OS would be impacted. However, POSSIE testing also shows the existing VM is not recognized by Internet Explorer after upgrading to XP from Windows NT, Windows 98, or Windows 2000. "These tests certainly create an early concern that the disablement of Java is going to be a bigger issue," said Andrew Shikiar, director of POSSIE. "Beyond the VM download issue, users will still be denied Java due to little-known changes to security settings and their definitions in XP." Shikiar explained that in Windows XP, new default security settings in Outlook and Outlook Express will automatically block harmless Java applets in user inboxes. Even more far reaching, Microsoft has also changed its security definitions so that Java applets are blocked in browsers when administrators opt for high security settings. Previously, Java was not blocked in high security mode - a setting routinely used by IT administrators to protect corporate networks. Microsoft's blocking of Java applets in Outlook will limit email to basic text and graphics. Additionally, if browser default settings are changed to high security, users will be unable to view common web page components created with Java - from stock and sports tickers to electronic forms and animation. "The bottom line is that Microsoft should provide the same, base-level Java support corporate customers and consumers have come to depend on with previous Windows releases," said Shikiar. "Java has proven to be a secure environment that simply doesn't deserve such restrictions." Read more from CBS MarketWatch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven P. Administrators Posted July 20, 2001 Administrators Share Posted July 20, 2001 Funny how Java Applets will be blocked and .vbs files that can really do serious damage can be run from OE by any unsuspecting user. As a IT pro working in many large companies, the first thing I do is change the file properties for .vbs to "Edit with Notepad" as default. saves alot of hassle when people are sending out things like the "I love you" script which took down many Exchange servers in the corperation I was working for worldwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me101 Veteran Posted July 20, 2001 Author Veteran Share Posted July 20, 2001 As Neobond says, .vbs is not a bug, it's a feature! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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