Cyber-criminals are using a new toolkit which allows them to hack web sites and infect visitors' computers with malicious Trojan code.

Security experts at Symantec identified the dangerous MPack toolkit, which is being sold to hackers to help them launch attacks that compromise the PCs of web site visitors.

The kit has been used to set up servers that collect information from users and determine the best way to attack their computers.

Visitors' data is being stolen through the hacking of popular web sites, the creation of fake sites to take advantage of misspelled popular domains, and spammed e-mails.

The development of this MPack kit, and other toolkits like it, show how successful criminals are getting at taking advantage of software flaws and the fact that many web users do not do enough to protect themselves.

Web users are urged to keep Windows and other software up to date with the latest patches, and also to take sensible steps to protect their personal information when online.

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