Java has always been a security risk and should be avoided. I don't install it, never have missed anything important.

I used work for a defense contractor and they had a few apps that required Java. Bad idea, seems that a certain large Asian country had hacked into their network and stole information for at least a year. Java turned out to be the route they used.

If you have it, get rid of it if at all possible. I go to a local weather site that uses Java for some cute scrolling forcast infomation, i just skip that cutesy scrolling thing by not allowing Java.

I have not used it lately but the USPS used to require Java for some online mailing labeling, not sure of they still do. I hope not.