Computer tech question

Dangerous? Not likely! from what I know, Java Script is a programming language used in websites, and even in applications. Like imbedding a uTubeVideo into a site probably uses Java or something like that.

You probably will be better off, especially if you are not a computer wiz, to keep the latest security updates for Windows including JavaScript. JavaScript can be dangerous and it has been a vector for various types of web based attacks because it is script/programming made by the website author that executes locally on your machine, so in general it is that you are trusting that each website you visit has no malicious intentions. It also happens to be very useful and in extremely widespread use on the WWW, so you can pretty much assume 90% plus of the web sites you're likely to visit employ some JavaScript in their layout/design. But because it executes locally on your machine, and most Windows users run with Admin privileges by default, it is always a potential security risk.

I run Firefox with an extension called "NoScript", it disables JavaScript execution by default and I pick and choose what to allow to run. It's less convenient, but the sites i visit regularly only need to be set once. There's also a lot of Windows applications that are internet enabled which use embedded components of Windows Explorer, which is another reason you may want to have it up to date with the latest fixes (even if you use Firefox instead of IE). In theory it should help to minimize the risk of some malicious software getting onto your system.

Edit: For example, if you want to see some advisories check this link to Security Focus site search for JavaScript. Or search FrSIRT... I dunno I'm searching right now ad hoc, not trying to scare you. In 2007 there were 9 Javascript related advisories for all platforms, that means more than just for Windows and IE. So I'm saying the threat is greater than zero, they do find bugs/secuirty problems occasionally and there are people out there who will try to come up with ways to exploit them, so it's a good idea to try and keep your system up-to-date... Okay one more linky: US-CERT United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, another site that I think is generally trusted by computer security folks. There's also SANS Institute as another major security related site you can read advisories and stuff.

Funny thing, the editing bar with all the buttons "MONO" "CENTER" etc for posting relies on JavaScript to work correctly

Okay, and I want to mention one more thing about common JavaScript out there. This part isn't a security threat per-se, but most of the sites I see now contain JavaScript for Google Analytics.

which means they're collecting as much data on you and how you use their site for the sake of marketing, and when you use google, they could potentially be recording every search you input, gmail, they could have all your email... see where this is going? a big giant database about what's going on inside your head... which may or may not make you concerned, but that's valuable info to intrusive advertisers if nothing else... but fear not, google's motto is "Don't be evil".