Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

What are you doing about Cogeco's use of Java for webmail?

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 25 views
  • Last reply by RavenElaine

more options

I use Cogeco webmail and since they use Java, I can no longer access my webmail (as of this morning). There is no option to "allow Java". I just can't log in to my webmail from the Cogeco website. The login page won't load (although the main Cogeco page loads fine). It's inconvenient to have to use Internet Explorer.

I use Cogeco webmail and since they use Java, I can no longer access my webmail (as of this morning). There is no option to "allow Java". I just can't log in to my webmail from the Cogeco website. The login page won't load (although the main Cogeco page loads fine). It's inconvenient to have to use Internet Explorer.

Chosen solution

Java plugins are very much ancient technology. You should contact Cogeco to complain that they are putting you at risk by forcing you to use an old plugin that isn't supported by modern browsers

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (5)

more options

Chosen Solution

Java plugins are very much ancient technology. You should contact Cogeco to complain that they are putting you at risk by forcing you to use an old plugin that isn't supported by modern browsers

more options

Thanks. I will.  :)

more options

RavenElaine said

I use Cogeco webmail and since they use Java, I can no longer access my webmail (as of this morning). There is no option to "allow Java". I just can't log in to my webmail from the Cogeco website. The login page won't load (although the main Cogeco page loads fine). It's inconvenient to have to use Internet Explorer.

If the NPAPI Java Plugin from Oracle was indeed needed then it would be mentioned in say https://www.cogeco.ca/web/on/en/residential/support/131/125/faq-internet/email/webmail/what-is-cogeco-webmail

Notice it says
Access your emails securely whenever you want, with any device that's connected to the Internet


Only IE and Firefox 52 ESR (32-bit on Windows) even allows other NPAPI Plugins like Java to run. The Java Plugin is not available for Android or iOS devices for example. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/npapi-plugins

Even Chrome (since 45 version), Chromium (and Opera) has dropped support of all NPAPI Plugins which includes Java back in September 2015. So basically less reasons for websites to still make use of the vulnerable NPAPI Java Plugin.

Even Oracle is depreciating their vulnerable Java Plugin as it is only in Java 8 and not Java 9.

And just to be certain the NPAPI Java Plugin from Oracle and the JavaScript in Firefox are two separate things. JavaScript was originally going to be called LiveScript which would have eliminated the confusion but Java was the "in thing" back then at the time. http://kb.mozillazine.org/JavaScript_is_not_Java

Modified by James

more options

No problem here with loading the login page.


If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block (wanted) content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block (wanted) content.

  • make sure your extensions and filters are updated to the latest version

You see the shield icon at the left end of the location/address bar in case content is blocked by Tracking Protection.

  • click the shield icon for more detail and possibly disable the protection
  • check the Web Console for more detail about what content is blocked by Tracking Protection
  • "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Web Developer

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

You can reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
  • press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the Cache and remove the Cookies from websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Options/Preferences).

"Remove the Cookies" from websites that cause problems:

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data -> Manage Data

"Clear the Cache":

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data -> Clear Data -> Cached Web Content: Clear

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is is causing the problem.

  • switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Appearance
  • do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window
more options

Thanks everyone.