Java for OS X 2013-004 and Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 16
Apple has released Java for OS X 2013-004 for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and 10.7 Lion and Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 16. Both update Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_51, but they have different effects on the built-in Java browser plug-in. The update for Snow Leopard enables per-site control of the plug-in, while the update for Lion and Mountain Lion removes Apple’s Java plug-in entirely, directing you to download Oracle’s plug-in if you need it. Apple’s security page notes that these updates address several critical vulnerabilities that could cause arbitrary code execution outside of the Java
sandbox, as well as 33 other vulnerabilities. The updates are available via the App Store app or Software Update and direct download, and Apple reminds you to quit any Web browsers and Java applications before installing either one. For more information about Java on the Mac, see “FlippedBITS: Java, JavaScript, and You,” 2 May 2013. (Free, 64.01 MB for 2013-004 and 69.48 MB for Update 16)
I am not an advanced techie and found that recent updates of Java on my Mac rendered using many sites utterly useless. I dove in and followed instructions to the letter to reinstall Java 6.
What are the odds this most recent update is going to give me the same problems?
Apple re-released Java for OS X 2013-004 about a day and a half after initially releasing it. The first release caused major issues for many enterprise applications (e.g. PaperCut). Trouble is you won't learn this from Apple -- the re-release is not mentioned in the KB article and the download page still has the original June 18th release date listed. In short, Apple screwed up big time and while they fixed it quickly, they did not care to admit their screw up. So much for Apple's openness and integrity.
To check if you have the old or new Java installed, type "java -version" from within terminal. The old release was build "1.6.0_51-b11-456-11M4508". The new, working one is "1.6.0_51-b11-457-11M4509".
If you need to download 2013-004 again to get the proper one, go to http://support.apple.com/downloads/#java