Why Java is Secure?

Java is the most popular object-oriented programming language. It provides a variety of salient features that are preferred by the developers. It is the reason that a billion of devices runs on Java. In this section, we are going to discuss why Java is secure.

Java is secure due to the following reasons:

• Java programs run inside a virtual machine which is known as a sandbox.
• Java does not support explicit pointer.
• Byte-code verifier checks the code fragments for illegal code that can violate access right to object.
• It provides java.security package implements explicit security.
• It provides library level safety.
• Run-time security check takes place when we load new code.

Java provides some other features that make Java more secure.

• JVM
• Security API's
• Security Manager
• Auto Memory Management
• No Concept of Pointers
• Compile-time Checking
• Cryptographic Security
• Java Sandbox
• Exception Handling
• ClassLoader

JVM

JVM plays a vital role to provide security. It verifies the byte-code. The JVM provides guarantees that there is no unsafe operation going to execute. It also helps to diminish the possibilities of the programmers who suffer from memory safety flaws.

Security API's

Java class libraries provide several API that leads to security. These APIs contain cryptographic algorithms and authentication protocols that lead to secure communication.

Byte Code

Every time when a user compiles the Java program, the Java compiler creates a class file with Bytecode, which are tested by the JVM at the time of program execution for viruses and other malicious files.

Security Manager

The security manager is responsible for checking the permissions and properties of the classes. It monitors the system resources accessed by the authorized classes. It also controls socket connections.

No Concept of Pointers

Java does not provide support for pointers concept. It is the main security features of Java. The use of pointers may lead to unauthorized read or write operations. Therefore, the user cannot point to any memory locations.

Memory management

Java automatically manages memory which is known as garbage collection. The JVM manages memory itself. The programmers are free from memory management. Hence, there is no chance to fault in memory management.

Compile-time checking

Compile-time checking also makes the Java secure. Consider a scenario in which an unauthorized method is trying to access the private variable, in this case, the JVM gives the compile-time error. It prevents the system from the crash.

Cryptographic Security

Java provides a class named java.secrurity.SourceCode that also provides security. If we get code from other sources, we should check from where the code is coming. The class maintains the source information and provides guarantees to keep a digital signature and cryptographic security.

Java Sandbox

Java Sandbox is a major component of security consideration. It is a restricted area where applets are run. Java does not provide system resources without check if an applet is to be run.

Exception Handling

The exception handling feature adds more security in Java. The feature reports the error to the programmer during the runtime. The code will not run until the programmer will not rectify it.

Java ClassLoader

There are a number of class loaders present in JVM. It provides and maintains namespaces for specific classes. The advantage of the ClassLoader is that the untrusted classes would not behave like a trusted one.