[Ham-Computers] Sun Java

[jandlmiller at bellsouth.net]

I just received a US-CERT National Cyber Alert System, Cyber Security Alert SA08-193A dealing with Sun Java.

These questions for discussion:

1. The recommendation is clear: disable Java in Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox and details are provided about to do so in each browser.

My question: Is such a disable a good idea, and what might/would not work if I did so?

2.  Using Start/Control Panel/Add-Remove I see the following: 

On one XP (laptop) I find Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2_0

On one XP (desktop) I find all of these:
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 2
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 4
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6
Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2_05
Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2_06

My questions:
1. May I assume the laptop, that has auto updates turned on for Java, is where it should be?

2. Is it safe to use Add-Remove in the Control Panel to get rid of all on the desktop EXCEPT the v1.4.2_06?

John W0IKT