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Firefox recently added older versions of the Java plugin to its blocklist causing it to be disabled. This was done because the old versions are vulnerable to an attack which could take over your computer. This article describes the steps to update Java and get it working again.

{for win,linux} Firefox recently added older versions of the Java plugin to its blocklist causing it to be disabled. This was done because the old versions are vulnerable to an attack which could take over your computer without your knowledge and access files or steal critical information like banking credentials. This article describes the steps to update Java and get it working again. {/for} {for mac} Old versions of the Java plugin are vulnerable to an attack which could take over your computer without your knowledge and access files or steal critical information like banking credentials. This article describes the steps to update Java and get it working again. {/for} __TOC__ =Update Java= {for win} Firefox only blocks vulnerable versions of Java so the thing to do is to update to latest version. Unfortunately, simply installing a new version of Java doesn't necessarily remove older Java versions from your computer which will leave you vulnerable. So you'll have to uninstall any old versions of Java before going ahead with the update. # Go to the [http://www.java.com/download Java download page] and download the latest Java installer but don't run it yet. # [[T:closeFirefox]] # From the Start Menu in the Windows taskbar, select '''Control Panel'''. The Control Panel opens.<br><br>[[Image:Open Windows 7 Control Panel]] # Open the Windows program listing. #* '''(Windows Vista/7)''' Click '''Programs''' and then '''Programs and Features'''. #* '''(Windows 2000/XP)''' Double-click '''Add or Remove Programs'''. # From the list of currently installed programs, select any Java or Java Runtime programs. # To begin the uninstall: #* '''(Windows Vista/7)''' Click {button Uninstall} at the top of the window. #* '''(Windows 2000/XP)''' Click {button Remove} on the right of the Java listing. #*:{note}'''Note:''' Complete the uninstall process before proceeding.{/note} # Run the installer you downloaded in step 1. # Start Firefox Java should now work as expected. {/for} {for linux} Firefox only blocks vulnerable versions of Java so the thing to do is to update to latest version. # Go to the [http://www.java.com/download Java download page] and download the latest Java installer. # [[T:closeFirefox]] # Run the installer you downloaded in step 1. # Start Firefox Java should now work as expected. {/for} {for mac} The thing to do is to update to latest version. # [[T:closeFirefox]] # From the '''Apple''' menu, select {menu Software Update...}. # Select the Java update and click {button Install}. Wait for the update to complete. # Start Firefox Java should now work as expected. {/for} {for win,linux} If you had previously selected Disable in the blocking dialog, you may need to enable Java again: # [[Template:Open Add-ons|type=Plugins]] # Find the '''Java Platform''' or '''Java Runtime''' item and click {button Enable}. =Working around the blocklist= If you are unable to update Java and it's critical for you to continue using it, you can re-enable the blocked version. {warning}'''Warning:''' This leaves you vulnerable to attacks. Simply browsing to a compromised website could result in your computer being exploited.{/warning} ==Enabling Java== # [[Template:Open Add-ons|type=Plugins]] # Find the '''Java Platform''' or '''Java Runtime''' item and click {button Enable}. <!-- The following sections can be removed after 6pm PST on 4/5/12 --> If there isn't an '''Enable''' option, you can fix it by doing the following: # [[T:profileFolder]] # [[T:closeFirefox]] # In the profile folder that you opened earlier, find '''blocklist.xml''' (this may be listed as a "XML document" called '''blocklist''') and '''pluginreg.dat''' (this may be listed as a "DAT document" called '''pluginreg'''). Delete both these files. # Start Firefox # You will be presented with the Add-ons may be causing problems window with Java listed. Uncheck the '''Disable''' box and click {button Restart Later}. You should now be able to use the older, insecure version of Java. {/for}