title: Java 8 Update 71 is trying to install a new helper tool. (On Mac)
body: <p>I just was prompted to update Java.  It tells me:</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/tu9Zb.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/tu9Zb.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>Does anybody know what that "helper" tool does?  If it is new I probably don't need it.  Is there a way to opt out?  Or at least know what it is before installing it?</p>
  
  <p>Note that I already checked the option to suppress sponsor offers in the Java Control Panel under System Preferences.</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/ruF3c.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/ruF3c.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>Note also that if I don't enter the admin password, the update doesn't get installed.  It is not an offer that is presented besides the update and that I can accept or reject.</p>
  
  <p>If this is a bad question or the wrong place, please comment.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>Here is a followup.</p>
  
  <p>I got the message again and I searched for more information about it.  I learned that the update process has been wrapped into an application.  The applications wraps the actual package and proposes additional software.  If you opt out I guess it just installs the java update.</p>
  
  <p>The "new helper tool" is probably this installation wrapper, or possibly the additional software that is proposed if you don't opt out.</p>
  
  <p>If you prefer to install a clean package, you can extract it form the installer.  After the update downloaded, click cancel.  Then go to <code>~/Library/Application Support/Java</code> (<code>~/Library</code> is hidden, so use Go > Go to folder...).  You can see there all the past java update downloads.  Choose the latest version.  Inside the folder you see an app and a dmg.  Right-click on the app and select <code>Show Package Contents</code>.  Inside the app go to <code>Contents/Resources</code>.  There you find a package <code>JavaAppletPlugin.pkg</code>.  That is the actual package.  Double-click it to install.  It will still ask for your name and password, but this time it is asked by OSX/macOS and used for installing that package and nothing else.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>Latest update: Today the update fails.  When that happens, the download is immediately removed.  In that case the method above doesn't work.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>This starts to look like a blog.  The failing download was due to my antivirus.  When I disable it it works again.  Anyway I now trust the message to be harmless.  It is OS X asking if I agree to run the Java installation program.  It doesn't try to install anything else.  I just run it.</p>