This all leaves open the question of whether end-users -- meaning you -- should even leave Java on your computer and perhaps uninstall it entirely instead of updating.

"If you use your home PC for Facebook and YouTube, you're still of interest to miscreants, but nothing like the level of interest if you're managing payroll or finances for a business," Santorelli says.

However, Java runs the framework underlying the Android operating system, and is used by companies like Citrix to launch its GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, and GoToMyPC services when loaded through a browser.

Some experts recommend virtualization as a workaround for businesses that need to use those Java-based services. Installing it in a virtual machine keeps it at arm's length from critical systems. The home user, especially one focused on Facebook and the Web, may be able to dispense with Java altogether.

Fans of HTML 5 point to this alternative to delivering the multimedia functions that Java enabled earlier in the Web's development. It is a focus of both and , and appears to be this year, although it targets Flash more than Java.