Watch a video of a Java exploit attack in progress.

[Wiz Feinberg]

The Malwarebytes' blog now has a video capture of an actual Blackhole Exploit Kit (BHEK) attack against Java as it takes place and compromises a totally patched Windows 8 PC. You should watch this, then reconsider my advice about uninstalling Java, or at least disabling it from your primary, default browsers.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Here is an article on Trend Micro, showing how to use Java safely, if you absolutely must use it.

Bear in mind the consequences of having it active in your default browsers and consider that a malicious paid ad banner, placed deceptively with an ad display company, on an innocent website, could redirect you to one of these exploit kit sites.