Oracle's Java installer places a pane in System Preferences. Clicking on that pane launches another window outside of System Preferences that has among other things…
  • A "General" tab with settings for network options and temporary file settings
  • An update tab that lets the user know if they have the currently recommended version of Java
  • A Java tab to manage various JRE environemnts at either the system or user level
  • A security tab where you can set the level of protection at high or very hiigh, specify sites that can run Java applications that do not meet the security requirements, and a place to manage the Java security certificates
  • An avanced tab to control debugging tools, the Java Console shortcuts, installations, etc.
If the Java Pane does not appear in System Preferences your installation is incomplete, go to java.com download and run the installer.

By-the-way, as of 15:30 February 7, 2016 the Oracle/Java web site identifies Java Version 8 update 73 as the recommended version for OS X. I didn't see any mention of update 74?


"All you've got to do is own up to your ignorance
honestly, and you'll find people who are eager to
fill your head with information"
--Walt Disney