How do I control when an untrusted applet or application runs in my web browser?
This article applies to:
- Java version(s): 7.0, 8.0
» Setting the security level within the Java Control Panel
» Applications signed with MD5withRSA or MD5withDSA
Setting the security level within the Java Control Panel
Java 7u10 introduced the ability to manage when and how untrusted Java applications (i.e. an application that is digitally signed by an unknown publisher, or a certificate that has not been issued by a trusted Certificate Authority) will run if they are included on a web page. Setting the security level within the Java Control Panel will determine whether- You are prompted before an untrusted java application is run (MEDIUM or HIGH) or
- Untrusted Java applications will be blocked so they cannot run (VERY HIGH).
Starting with Java 7 Update 51, applets that do not conform with the latest security practices can still be authorized to run by including the sites that host them to the Exception Site List.
Starting with Java 8 Update 20, the Medium security level has been removed from the Java Control Panel. Only High and Very High levels are available.
The exception site list provides users with the option of allowing the same applets that would have been allowed by selecting the Medium option but on a site-by-site basis therefore minimizing the risk of using more permissive settings.
Find the Java Control Panel
Setting the Security levels through the Java Control Panel
- In the Java Control Panel, click on the Security tab.
- Select the desired Security level.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK to save changes made to the Java Control Panel.
Java Control Panel - Java 7
Security levels in the Java Control Panel
Very High
This is the most restrictive security level setting. All the applications that are signed with a valid certificate and include the Permissions attribute in the manifest for the main JAR file are allowed to run with security prompts. All other applications are blocked.High
This is the minimum recommended (and default) security level setting. Applications that are signed with a valid or expired certificate and include the Permissions attribute in the manifest for the main JAR file are allowed to run with security prompts. Applications are also allowed to run with security prompts when the revocation status of the certificate cannot be checked. All other applications are blocked.Medium (removed from Java 8 Update 20 and later versions)
Only unsigned applications that request all permissions are blocked. All other applications are allowed to run with security prompts. Selecting the Medium security level is not recommended and will make your computer more vulnerable should you run a malicious application.Applications signed with MD5withRSA or MD5withDSA
Applications signed with the MD5withRSA or MD5withDSA algorithms are treated as unsigned starting with the Java 8 Update 131 release.
Error Messages/Dialogs: MD5withRSA Algorithm
Unable to launch application.
Unsigned application requesting unrestricted access to system
The following resource is signed with a weak signature algorithm
MD5withRSA and is treated as unsigned:
http://example.net/ExampleApplication.jar
MD5withDSA Algorithm
Unable to launch application.
Unsigned application requesting unrestricted access to system
The following resource is signed with a weak signature algorithm
MD5withDSA and is treated as unsigned:
http://example.net/ExampleApplication.jar
Application users
If you encounter either of the messages above, it is recommended that you contact the website where you are seeing this message or the application vendor and provide them with the message. The website or vendor needs to improve the security of the application, as the application is no longer secure using MD5withRSA or MD5withDSA.Application developers
If you own, develop or maintain a Java application that is displaying these messages, it is recommend that you re-sign the JAR with a stronger algorithm. For information on how to identify the algorithm used to sign a JAR, see the Changes section of the Java 8 Update 131 Release Notes. Additional information on using the Jarsigner tool can be found on the Jarsigner Tool page. It is possible, but not recommended, to update a client machine to revert this security enhancement. Information on reverting can be found on the Cryptographic Algorithms page.You might also be interested in:
