INFO: Visual J++ Relaxes Security Restrictions on Java Applets

ID: Q177750

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SDK for Java, versions 2.0x, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2
Microsoft Visual J++, versions 1.0, 1.1

SUMMARY

How does the Msdev.exe, in Visual J++, relax the security in Internet Explorer so that my applet can run outside the Java sandbox, despite the fact that it is not in a signed .cab file?

MORE INFORMATION

In the Microsoft virtual machine, which is included with Internet Explorer 3.x and 4.0x, only trusted class files can access resources outside the Java sandbox. Class files from digitally signed .cab files are trusted. If the HTML file is run from Microsoft Developer Studio, the class files are also trusted. This can be very helpful during applet development. However, to deliver your applet to other users, you must place them in a signed .cab file.

When executing or debugging a Java Applet from Developer Studio, the security restrictions in Internet Explorer are relaxed for quick and easy testing. MSDEV prepends the project path to the CLASSPATH that is used by Internet Explorer. This gives the classes trusted status.

Applets outside of MSDEV must be cabbed and signed in order to run in Internet Explorer without the sandbox restrictions. One of the references below is an FAQ about cabbing and signing.

Note that for all trusted applets (including those running under Developer Studio) running under the Microsoft virtual machine (version 2252 or higher) included with either the SDK 2.0x for Java or Internet Explorer 4.0x have additional restrictions (please see references below).

REFERENCES

For additional information on making your Java Code trusted in Microsoft Internet Explorer, please refer to the following Knowledge Base article:

Q193877 HOWTO: Making your Java Code Trusted in Internet Explorer

For more information on CAB signing, please see the SDK for Java documentation and the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q168941 INFO: Frequently Asked Questions for CAB Files

For more information on additional security restrictions for the Virtual Machine for Java (version 2252 or higher) included with either the SDK for Java or Internet Explorer 4.0x, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q175622 PRB: SecurityExceptionEx Exception Running a Java Applet

For the latest Knowledge Base articles and other support information on Visual J++ and the SDK for Java, please see the following pages on the Microsoft Technical Support site:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/visualj/

http://support.microsoft.com/support/java/

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kbSDKJava300 kbSDKJava310 JVM kbSDKJava320 
Version           : WINDOWS:1.0,1.1,2.0,3.0,3.1,3.2
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: July 26, 1999