As promised, Apple rolled out a Java update today designed to combat the Flashback infection afflicting some 600,000 Mac users.
The Java security update removes common Flashback variants and disables the auto-running of applets, which is how Flashback infiltrated systems. To ensure you’re protected, simply download and apply the latest patches from Software Update.
In related news, Kaspersky announced today that the company is suspending its own Flashback removal program. Not because of Apple’s official release but because Kaspersky found the tool itself was making unacceptable alterations to the system. The Flashfake Removal Tool reportedly took the liberty of changing auto-start configurations, browser configurations and file sharing data. [Apple, Kaspersky via Forbes]