Oracle Java Quarterly Critical Security Update, January 2016

[Corrine]

Oracle released the scheduled critical security updates for its Java SE Runtime Environment software and, once again, released a subsequent update that includes "bug fixes". 

Although most people do not need Java on their computer, there are some   programs and games that require Java.  In the event you need to continue using Java, How-to Geek discovered a little-known and  unpublicized option in the Java Control   Panel to suppress the offers for the pre-checked unwanted extras.

• Launch the Windows Start menu
  
• Click on Programs
  
• Find the Java program listing
  
• Click Configure Java to launch the Java Control Panel
  
• Click the Advanced tab and go to the "Miscellaneous" section at the bottom.
  
• Check the box by the “Suppress sponsor offers when installing or updating Java” option and click OK.
  

Download link:  Java SE 8u71
Java SE 8u72 can be found here.  Select the appropriate version for your operating system.
Verify your version:  http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp

• Java SE 8u71 Update Release Notes
  
• Java SE 8u72 Update Release Notes
  

[Digerati]

Although most people do not need Java on their computer

This is so true. And I note many programs and games that used to need Java installed no longer do. Minecraft is a prime example. This one game was the last hold-out on my final computer to have Java installed. And it was only there so my grandson could play Minecraft.

Instead of installing this latest Java update just yet, I recommend uninstalling Java, then run JavaRA to ensure no old Java remnants are left behind (a common problem with Java in the past). Then go about your normal business using your games and programs as you normally would. You may be surprised that you also no longer need Java.

If you do run a program that requires Java, you simply will be prompted to install Java again and be good to go. But before you do, I recommend you visit your program's website to ensure you have the latest version. It too may have been updated to no longer require Java.

[Corrine]

SingularLabs ceased development of JavaRa.  No additional definition updates were provided after December 18th 2014.

[plodr]

I discovered JavaRA doesn't remove Jave. It says it does but it was still there.

My notes: I removed it on July 9, 2014. After I used JavaRA, which did nothing, I fired up Revo Uninstaller. There were 2,230 registry entries!
After using that, I still had the coffee cup icon in the Control Panel.
I went searching and found JAVA.CPL in C:\Windows\system32
I erased that and finally Java was gone from the computer.

[Digerati]

Thanks Corrine. I did not realize that. I wonder if that is because Oracle finally [supposedly] started removing old versions when Java was updated.

I fired up Revo Uninstaller. There were 2,230 registry entries!

Unlike Revo, JavaRa was not a registry cleaner. The problem was old, insecure versions of Java were left on hard drives after Java was updated. And on less than fully secured systems, badguys were able to find those old, insecure versions and exploit them.

In any case, with a slight revision, my advice remains the same. Instead of applying this new upgrade, uninstall Java and see if anything you use still needs.