San Jose (CA) - Just hours after Adobe fixed a vulnerability in its PDF viewing applications, users became warned of a continuing security threat.

Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader became hot programs for spammers after a glitch was discovered to exploit the program's "mailto" command.  Hackers used this in connection with a malicious PDF code to send out bulk e-mails with dangerous PDF attachments.

The documents, if opened, could seize someone's computer and immediately implant malware on it.  After Adobe said it updated the programs on Monday, Symantec sent out advisory warnings saying vulnerabilities still existed.

According to the bulletin, though, the flaw is also in part due to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which allows the hack to bypass security protocols.  Users with IE 7 on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 are vulnerable.

Symantec says that users should "apply the patches outlined in Adobe Advisory APSB07-18 as soon as possible."

Microsofts fault

Oct 24, 2007 11:28     

IE has always had a problem with security esp the browser security which keeps getting hijacked allowing site to change your security settings, thus allowing spyware to enter your system. What i don't get is why don't they allow us to password the security setting to prevent changes to the security settings from malicious software.
Ron report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Ron

Oct 24, 2007 11:57     

There are third party programs that allow that functionality... I personally prefer trend micro's internet security suite. Think MaCafee or Symantec without all the bloat. Excellent virus scanner, too.
Scott report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Horrible virus scanner Kaspersky = best one will no...

Oct 24, 2007 12:10     

Horrible virus scanner Kaspersky = best one will notify root kits and any type of malicious code once you browse a website.
vanillaface report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Symantec FTL

Oct 24, 2007 20:42     

I've never seen poorer products than the ones Symantec puts out. Their anti-virus software is worthless, as is McAfee. Best protection and fastest? NOD32. Of course Kaspersky, Trend, etc are all also very good. And why not just rip Adobe Reader out of there? Version 8 is far better than the old horrible versions, but just rip it out and put in Foxit Reader. Free and much much faster! =)
Dozer report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0