Java security patch problems confound most users

Most users report having little idea of whether they use Oracle's Java platform, despite dozens of high profile warnings over the security risks associated with it.

V3's recent security poll showed that when asked whether they would heed security experts' widespread calls by for businesses to turn Java off, an overwhelming majority - 76 percent - said they did not know if they were using Java.

Calls for the platform to be retired came after a dangerous zero-day vulnerability in Java was unearthed earlier in January.

The vulnerability was discovered when Trend Micro researchers spotted the Reveton ransomware Trojan targeting the flaw.

Further servere flaws were also uncovered that were being targeted by the popular Blackhole and Cool exploit kits, which allow criminals to mount automated attacks.

Tellingly, of those that said they were using Java, the majority confirmed they would be turning it off, with 12 percent acknowledging it it's too risky to leave Java enabled all the time.

A further eight percent said turning Java off is not a valid option as the code is too embedded in their systems.

Just one percent of respondents reported that they did not know how to turn off Java.