"Java Update Recommended" Scam - How to remove

Java Update Recommended can be a real Java update alert, for when a new version is released. However, malware executables are distributed with the help of fake software update alerts, and it can be difficult to know when the update pop-up is genuine.

Java Update Recommended and similar scams are commonly used to spread malware to unsuspecting users. Usually, it’s some website that shows a picture of a legitimate-looking Java update notification window and includes a download button for some malware.

Java Update Recommended takes advantage of this familiarity that people have with the software. Java used to be needed by a lot of programs, though it’s fallen out of use recently. But I and many others still remember it as something safe, needed, a part of our routine — even if we haven’t used it in many years.

Fake software updates take advantage of this and try to get people tricked to click the “Install”, “Download”, “Agree”, etc. button under the “Java Update Recommended” warning, so that the site can start downloading adware or another unwanted program to infect your computer with. It’s how browser hijackers like Genieo Search get installed on computers without their owners’ knowledge. The FakeUpdates malvertising campaign a few years ago really managed to compromise some trusted websites and infect lots of computers with just this type of scam.

Java Update Recommended memo:

Type of threat	Scam Trojan Downloads a different program than it claimed to
Causes	Adware Malicious ads and infected websites
Dangers	Downloaded malware
Removal	Uninstall suspicious programs Scan for malware and adware (SpyHunter (PC), Combo Cleaner (Mac)) Check your browser settings and remove suspicious extensions and notification senders

Fake updates for trusted software

Sometimes you need to update your Java Runtime Environment to enable some applications and websites to run. This software is used less now, many don’t have JRE on their machines at all. If you do, the updates might be automatic, or you can install each one when you decide. Java’s pop-ups appear in your user interface, on your desktop.

A lot of people are so familiar with this software, it’s often our first instinct to just update any program that complains. I tell people all the time to install the latest updates to take advantage of security patches. However, if your browser is being constantly harassed by the Java Update Recommended notifications, then there’s some sort of adware affecting your browser and you need to remove it from your computer before it’s infected even more.

The Java Update Recommended scam is similar to Outdated Java Plugin Detected, Update your Flash Player, Flash SD App Required — no shortage of fake update alerts online. Generally, the fake notifications show up in your browser, like the Chrome, Safari, etc. window. It’s extremely easy for anyone to fake an update window and put it on a webpage. The address of the site can then be distributed all over the web using bad ads. The download button can download any file that the creator wants, most likely some malware that they can make money off of.

How to stop Java Update Recommended pop-ups

The fake Java Update Recommended pop-ups usually appear in the browser and there’s a big variety of designs of these fakes. Some say things like “It is recommended to have Java in order to proceed”, or “Update Java – IMPORTANT!”. The fake pop-ups can be very realistic. If they show up rarely, only a few times at most, they might have been triggered by malicious ads. Some websites have worse ads than others, but they’re impossible to completely avoid (though blocking malicious websites could help).

Closing the window or Java Update Recommended’s tab immediately is the right way to deal with these fake alerts. If the window is locked, simply open the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), or the Force Quit Applications (Cmd+Alt+Esc) window and close the browser. Don’t reopen the same tabs and just ignore the message in the future.

Constant “Java Update Recommended” pop-ups that happen regularly show that you might have a problem with adware. Adware programs manipulate your browser and redirect you to the active malicious sites, like an evil ad server. And since malicious websites can cause all kinds of harm, including automatic malware downloads, an adware infection is quite a big risk — it has to be taken care of.

Remove malicious software by scanning your computer with a strong anti-malware program, such as SpyHunter for PC or Combo Cleaner for Mac, and deleting the files that are found to be malicious. You can also check the settings of your browser. Are suspicious sites sending you unwanted notifications? Are there some unfamiliar browser add-ons installed? These can contribute to showing you low-quality ads, including things like Java Update Recommended pop-ups.

Be careful when browsing and do not trust webpages that lock your browser and demand that you download and install something. They’re always scams and only cause issues later. Do update your real programs, download them from trusted sources, and keep handy a strong anti-malware tool.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove Java Update Recommended scam using Windows Control Panel

Many hijackers and adware like "Java Update Recommended" Scam install some of their components as regular Windows programs as well as additional software. This part of malware can be uninstalled from the Control Panel. To access it, do the following.

• Start→Control Panel (older Windows) or press Windows Key→Search and enter Control Panel and then press Enter (Windows 8, Windows 10).
• Choose Uninstall Program (if you don't see it, click in the upper right next to "View by" and select Category).
• Go through the list of programs and select entries related to Java Update Recommended scam . You can click on "Name" or "Installed On" to reorder your programs and make "Java Update Recommended" Scam easier to find.
• Click the Uninstall button. If you're asked if you really want to remove the program, click Yes.
• In many cases anti-malware programs are better at detecting related parasites, thus I recommend installing Spyhunter to identify other programs that might be a part of this infection.

How to remove Java Update Recommended scam from macOS

Delete "Java Update Recommended" Scam from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the Java Update Recommended scam app.
5. Select it and right-click it (or hold the Ctrl and click the left mouse button).
6. In the dropdown, click Move to Bin/Trash. You might be asked to provide your login password.

TopRemove malicious extensions from Internet Explorer

• Press on the Gear icon→Manage Add-ons.
  
• Go through Toolbars and extensions. Remove everything related to "Java Update Recommended" Scam and items you do not know that are made not by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Oracle or Adobe.
  
• Close the Options.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to Java Update Recommended scam, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Press on the Gear icon->Internet Options.
  
• Choose the Advanced tab and click on the Reset button.
  
• Select a “Delete personal settings” checkbox and click on the Reset button.
  
• Click on the Close button on the confirmation box, then close your browser.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving "Java Update Recommended" Scam from Chrome

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Google Chrome window. Select “Settings”.
  
• Click “Extensions” on the left menu bar.
• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to Java Update Recommended scam. Click on the trash bin icon next to "Java Update Recommended" Scam or other add-ons you want to remove.
  
• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.
  
• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.
  
• Restart Chrome.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to Java Update Recommended scam, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
  
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on the Reset settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving "Java Update Recommended" Scam from Firefox

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything Java Update Recommended scam related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to "Java Update Recommended" Scam, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

How to remove "Java Update Recommended" Scam from Microsoft Edge:Top

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Microsoft Edge window. Select “Extensions”.

• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to Java Update Recommended scam. Click on the "Remove" icon next to "Java Update Recommended" Scam or other add-ons you want to remove.

• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.

• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.

• Restart Microsoft Edge.

TopRemoving Java Update Recommended scam from Safari (Mac OS X)

• Click on the Safari menu.
• Choose Preferences.
  
• Click on the Extensions Tab.
• Click on the Uninstall button near the "Java Update Recommended" Scam. Remove all other unknown or suspicious entries too. If you are not sure whether you need the extension or not, you can simply uncheck the Enable check-box to disable the extension temporarily.
  
• Restart Safari.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to Java Update Recommended scam, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari.
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.