Select the "Update" tab on the Java Control Panel. Uncheck the box next to "Check for Updates Automatically." Click the "Do Not Check" button on the pop-up window that appears.

Don’t worry, OS X users – the procedure is very similar for you. Open System Preferences and look for the “Java” icon to launch the Java Control Panel, and follow the steps above to manage your ...

Microsoft is offering advice on how to protect yourself from Java-based malware. The instructions are simple: either update it, disable it, or just uninstall it completely.

Updates also should be available via the Java Control Panel or from Java.com. If you really need and use Java for specific Web sites or applications, take a few minutes to update this software.

To disable Java plugin on Internet Explorer you can use the Add-ons manager to disable Java(tm) Plug-in 2 SSV Helper and Sun Microsystems Deployment Toolkit. But this does not actually suffice.

Updates also should be available via the Java Control Panel or from Java.com. Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) users who have Java should check Software Update for any available updates.

In Internet Explorer, follow these instructions for disabling Java in all browsers via the Control Panel. There is no way to completely disable Java specifically in IE.