And for those sceptics like me that don't like to download from random sites, go here:

http://java.com/en/download/

You guys links suck.

Go here: http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Also, there is a myth that says that beginning with update 10, java would be deinstalled after upgrading (avoiding several jre installations in the machine).

Finally. I hope that's true; I can't tell you what a problem it is to have old versions of JRE hanging around on the machine in terms of security, and I can't believe it's taken them this long to comprehend that.

Why would it be a problem? Unless some brain-dead application picks a specific, old JRE, then it should always get the default one, right? And if a specific version is selected, there is probably a reason for that choice, like the application will not work with never version.

Brain-dead like a malicious application that intentionally targets an old version that contains a security flaw so that it can break out of the sandbox and infect your machine with a virus? See also Java.ByteVerify and Sinowal/Torpig.

Excuse my ignorance, but can an Java-applet specify which version of the JRE to use?

Yes.

Ahh - thanks Snover. That is scary!

Version 1.6.0.11 is out

Version 1.6.0.13 is out.