Apple has released a new version of Java meant to plug a vulnerability that can be exploited to install malware on user's computers. The company made an unprecedented announcement this morning, admitting that hackers had effectively infected a "small number" of its computers after employees visited a website for software developers that contained the malicious code. Apple says it isolated those computers from its network, and promised that it would release a support tool today to patch the vulnerability. The update uninstalls Apple's Java applet plugin from all browsers, as well as the Java Preferences application, which it says is no longer needed to configure the applet's settings.

Users can obtain the Java update through Apple's support website, or by using the Software Update tool for OS X.