14 DAY TRIAL // Oracle has released Java for Mac OS X Version 7 Update 7 patching a zero-day vulnerability that affects OS X, as well as other platforms. The flaw has been deemed serious, making this Java release a must-install.
Installing Java on a Mac is performed on a system-wide basis, which means that users will require administrator privileges to install the patch. Oracle notes that “You cannot install Java on a single-user basis.”
Java 7 Update 7 for OS X requires a 64-bit browser (Safari or Firefox). According to Oracle, “Java 7 does not support 32-bit browsers such as Chrome on the Mac platform.”
Users will also need an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or later. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion is supported. For more information on the zero-day flaw patched in this release, see this article.