While Oracle released a security patch for a new Java exploit that hackers are using to victimize internet users, a new report from security firm Trusteer has found that the majority of consumers still haven't installed the patch to protect themselves from potential threats.
With more than three-quarters of modern machines using Java, Trusteer believes the security hole is the most dangerous threat on the internet today. However, 68 percent of internet users have yet to install the patch that fixes the exploit, which leaves a significant number vulnerable to cybercriminals.
"From a security threat standpoint Java is very much like Flash in that it is a ubiquitous technology installed on virtually every computer in the world, which makes it an ultimate platform for distributing malware," Trusteer chief executive officer Mickey Boodaei stated. "Using vulnerabilities in these applications is extremely efficient since it enables criminals to target more than two-thirds of Internet users."
Experts agree that the most effective way for computer users to protect themselves is to keep their antivirus software up-to-date, and that includes applying patches.
