How to patch five must-close vulnerabilities, now

PC World - Symantec Corp. recently posted details about a new version of MPack, a for-sale Web attack kit that loads up a site with exploits against Windows, QuickTime and WinZip. The $400 kit was used in the June Italian Job online assault that hijacked tens of thousands of Web sites, most of them in Italy. Crooks can buy MPack and a host of other nefarious programs on a thriving online black market.

In its post, Symantec listed only which holes the new MPack version targets; I followed up with the company to get specifics and links to fixes. All of the vulnerabilities allow an attacker to take over your PC if you view a tainted Web page. And according to Roger Thompson, chief technology officer at Exploit Prevention Labs, another popular kit called Icepack attacks the same flaws.

Since thousands of poisoned Web sites actively attack these program vulnerabilities, they are must-close holes -- and making sure they're fixed will go a good ways toward keeping you safe online. The first three vulnerabilities listed here affect Windows; if you've been keeping up with Automatic Updates, you should have the patches. To make sure, run Windows Update from the Start menu, or download the patches individually from the listed Microsoft links. The other two attacks hit QuickTime and WinZip and are meant to catch people who might update Windows but not worry about other programs.

The following are the must-close vulnerabilities:

Microsoft XML Core Services overflow

• Critical flaw for Windows XP SP2, Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows Vista
• Get the fix from Windows Update or Microsoft

WebViewFolderIcon overflow

• Critical flaw for Windows XP SP1 and SP2 and Windows 2000 SP4
• Get the fix from Windows Update or Microsoft

ANI overflow

• Critical flaw for Windows XP SP2, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003
• Get the fix from Windows Update or Microsoft

WinZip ActiveX overflow

• Critical flaw for WinZip 10 prior to Build 7245 on Windows (WinZip doesn't specify which versions of Windows)
• Get the fix (and instructions) from WinZip

QuickTime overflow

• Critical flaw for QuickTime Player 7.1.3 on Windows XP/2000
• Get the fix (and instructions) from Apple, or choose Help, Update Existing Software from the QuickTime menu.

And the hits just keep coming

But just as a steering-wheel lock won't stop someone from smashing your car window, closing these holes doesn't guarantee that you'll be safe online. Our Bugs and Fixes column can help you stay on top of tomorrow's critical fixes, which can help protect you against browser-busting Web attacks.

To repel e-mail threats, the other major attack vector, be on your guard against any unsolicited e-mail links or attachments, even if the message uses your name and doesn't contain obvious grammatical errors. One currently operating assault uses data stolen from Monster.com to send personalized attack messages to job seekers.

And of course, keep your antivirus software up to date. Antivirus software won't usually be of direct help in blocking crooks' intrusions via exploits like these, but often it can stop the malicious software that criminals attempt to install after breaking in.