Gypsy -

The Real Player fix only appies if you have certain versions, and certain "accessory" packages installed. The information at the fix page should tell you whether it applies to your case.

There haven't been any reports of anyone using the "hole" that's fixed by this particular patch, so it's unlikely that Real Player is responsible for your "excessive activity."

Real Player, like some other programs, is obnoxious and intrusive with it's constant "popup" demands that you get their latest version, but so far as is known it hasn't (yet) been exploited by bad guys.

John