Microsoft issues critical security updates

Microsoft yesterday released software updates - three rated as 'critical' and one 'important' - targeting more than 20 vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems.

The critical updates cover a series of remote access and denial of service-type attacks that could be carried out within various aspects of Windows XP, 2000, NT4, 98 and Server 2003, as well as a cumulative update for a remote code execution flaw in Outlook Express 5.5 and 6.

The 'important' update affects the same versions of Windows, but plugs a remote code execution hole in the Jet Database Engine.

These latest releases bring the number of updates since Microsoft began releasing its patches on a monthly basis last year to 14. Of these, seven have been identified as critical.

Microsoft advises users to download and install the updates immediately. More information is available here.