Java for OS X Lion 2012-004 and Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 9
Promising improved security, Apple has released two Java updates: Java for OS X Lion 2012-004 and Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 9. Both updates deactivate the Java plug-in if no applets have been running for an extended time. However, you can re-enable use of Java by clicking a region labeled “Inactive plug-in” on a Web page. For Lion users, the update automatically disables the plug-in if the previous update (Java for OS X Lion 2012-003) was not installed. Both the Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and 10.6 Snow Leopard releases also update Java SE to version 1.6.0_33, which should protect Macs from untrusted Java applets executing arbitrary code
without being given permission (according to Apple’s security overview). The updates are available via Software Update and direct download, and Apple reminds you to quit any Web browsers and Java applications before installing either one. (Free, 64.07 MB and 76.34 MB)
Unfortunately, for anyone in Higher Education running Banner Software; this update 2012-004 prevents Banner from loading and provides No error message. According to Apple, the only way to remedy this is to archive and re-install the Operating System.
If anyone knows of a better fix - Please Post!
Anyone in higher ed using SeaMonkey to work in their Blackboard courses, be advised that this update may deprive you of the ability to upload documents to Blackboard. I have not tested this on Blackboard V.9.
The problem developed right after the the update to Java 2 Runtime Environment version 1.6.0_33
Firefox, however, functions well.
The update for 10.6 has apparently taken away functionality of a Java applet that I use to upload scans of checks to my bank. I got the "inactive plug-in" icon on the screen, but after taking all the prescribed steps to reactivate Java and reactivate the applet, the "inactive" icon is gone but replaced by a blank box where my applet used to run.
Update: my bank acknowledges the problem, and doesn't have a fix yet for their Java applet. Instead they have pointed me to use their mobile web site, which apparently has similar functionality for uploading scans of checks but doesn't rely on Java.