Every few months, a pop-up appears on your screen: “Java Update Available.” You pause. You ask yourself: Do I actually need this? Is it a security risk? Will my laptop run faster if I delete it?

Until then, keep your system lean. Uninstall Java and enjoy the peace of mind.

Hackers love targeting Java because it runs at a system level. A malicious Java applet (a small program that used to run in browsers) could potentially install ransomware or keyloggers on your laptop.