Do we need Flash or Java anymore?

[Warwick_Tech]

Hi All,

 

Going through my proceedures and came across the old Flash and Java installs;

 

Realistically with browsers like chrome dropping Flash support and Windows 10 having it inbuilt is there much point in installing the stand-alones anymore? I feel as more time goes by they open themselves up for more vulnerabilities.

 

I mean, Oracle stopped supporting shockwave and MSI's for Java a while ago but we still install them for those 'legacy' apps (of which there are none now?)

 

What are other people doing with this? Are you still installing a version of Java/Shockwave or Flash from an MSI/EXE or using the built in apps with W10?

 

I can't help but feel with the launch of the new Edge browswer these programs are even more irrelevant.

[synaesthesia]

Built in. There's a few old sites still reliant on old versions and with everything warning that they're unsafe, there's only so much we can do if someone needs an ancient site that for some reason still needs it (or recent sites that do for some stupid reason)

[supportman]

Never needed them using Google Chrome as default web browser here.

[noelmm]

I had to install Java recently for a member of staff who wanted to use an old website, even though we run W10 and Chrome the site wouldn't work without Java being installed. The problem is if a teacher found a site 10 years that has never been updated they still want to use it so we are left with the problem of having to install old versions of software.

[localzuk]

Flash - we install it still here, and keep it up to date. But, when the end of 2020 comes, and Adobe drops it, it will be removed.

 

Java - it only gets installed if a specific piece of software needs it. At the moment, it is only on 1 machine, mine.

[LeMarchand]

Java - it only gets installed if a specific piece of software needs it. At the moment, it is only on 1 machine, mine.

 

Have you tried Corretto?

[E_G_R2]

Still need Java for things like BMS. Only Site Manager and myself have it.

 

Flash for Boardworks?

[Warwick_Tech]

Still need Java for things like BMS. Only Site Manager and myself have it.

 

Flash for Boardworks?

 

Oh that's a good point - Though I thought it uses Macros in Office so no flash or java (?)

[jthompson]

Java installed only when needed. These days I think it's only our Physics department needing it when running some of the stuff on https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics, so literally only a few machines. For general use, it's just not needed any more.

 

Our Flash deployment GPO is filtered to apply only to Win7 systems, of which we have none now anyway. Our Win10 clients have been in use for yonks without ever having Flash deployed.

[localzuk]

Have you tried Corretto?

I haven't, as I've not had a need to.

[keyboards]

Both not installed by defaulthere , only on the odd occasion we get a request/need for it

[Jobos]

Our Unifi server still uses Java

[3s-gtech]

OpneJDK for one app on a server, Corretto for Activ software (the equation editor I think?) Flash only enabled in IE - I have disabled it in Edge Chromium as part of EOL'ing it.

[mavhc]

JRE doesn't actually need installing, can just call it directly. I have a bat file that starts minecraft on the network using java on the network.

[NetworkServices]

We don't install either here. As I recall we've only had one person request Java because of some archaic site in the last couple of years. The vulnerabilities were promptly explained and they found an alternative site that didn't require it.

[LeMarchand]

What exactly is the legality of using Java without paying these days? Is there a last "free" version that's OK to use? Or is the latest OK in EDU?

[6Foot2]

What exactly is the legality of using Java without paying these days? Is there a last "free" version that's OK to use? Or is the latest OK in EDU?

 

Link: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/downloads/201461-amazon-corretto-no-cost-distribution-openjdk-long-term-support.html

[LeMarchand]

Link: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/downloads/201461-amazon-corretto-no-cost-distribution-openjdk-long-term-support.html

 

I've got that running with a few bits and pieces, but wanted to check about the "original".

[3s-gtech]

Commercially, you cannot use Java SE without paying a licensing fee, beyond version 1.8.221 (I think that's the last version). We use OpenJDK and Corretto where needed.

[paulkerton]

Both are massive security issues, and I would strip them out now. Flash is gone as of December 2020 anyway.

A staff member might want one or both of them in order to use a resource, but the security of your systems is far more important than the desire of a staff member to use old and outdated resources and tools.

 

Get rid of both, and only allow Java where you have an issue with software that cannot be replaced for some reason that relies on it. If the software can be replaced or superceded, then do that first!

Edited February 26, 2020 by paulkerton

[ITGURU]

Some switches still need java too

[GiggleKitteh]

There is no exemption for Java for education (unless you're teaching it!!) so same rules for us as for everyone else

[Bhavesh78]

In school we have installed Java on all machines just in case, and flash has been stopped due Windows 10 Edu 1909 and google chrome has already built flash.

[paulkerton]

In school we have installed Java on all machines just in case, and flash has been stopped due Windows 10 Edu 1909 and google chrome has already built flash.

 

Only till the end of the Year, and then Chrome won't support it. Version 87 is the removal target (December 2020)

[Bhavesh78]

Surprise Chrome wont support flash by end of this year.. I know IE is going soon and MS is replacing it Chrome