<p>SAN FRANCISCO -- Oracle (ORCL) released a major security update on Tuesday for the version of Java programming language that runs inside Web browsers to make it a less popular target for hackers.</p><p>The patch fixes 42 vulnerabilities within Java, including "the vast majority" of those that have been rated as the most critical, said Oracle Executive Vice President Hasan Rizvi.</p><p>A series of big security flaws in the Java plug-in for browsers have been uncovered in the past year by researchers and hackers, and some have been used by criminal groups before previous patches</p><p>An Oracle sign is seen outside Mocsone Center during Oracle OpenWorld 2012 in San Francisco in this October 1, 2012 file photograph. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/Files (STEPHEN LAM)were issued.</p><p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23038222/oracle-fixes-42-security-holes-java-revive-consumers">Keep reading...</a></p>