Twelve rules for developing more secure Java code-Rule 4

Rule 4: Don't depend on package scope

Classes, methods, and variables that aren't explicitly labeled as public, private, or protected are accessible within the same package. Don't rely on this for security. Java classes aren't closed, so an attacker could introduce a new class into your package and use this new class to access the things you thought you were hiding. (A few packages, such as java.lang, are closed by default, and a few Java virtual machines (JVMs) let you close your own packages. But you're better off assuming packages aren't closed.)

Package scope makes a lot of sense from a software-engineering standpoint, since it prevents innocent, accidental access to things you want to hide. But don't depend on it for security.

Maybe we'll get sealed classes in the future.