Microsoft patches unlucky 13 software flaws

IT administrators should brace themselves for a busy day on 8 February as Microsoft will be releasing 13 security patches for its operating systems and applications. Nine of the patches are for Windows, at least one of which is rated 'critical' and will require a system restart.

The other four patches are for Office, the .Net framework, Sharepoint, Visual Studio, Media Player and MSN Messenger, and range from 'critical' to 'moderate'.

The advance warning was given as part of Microsoft's Technet programme where individuals can sign up for newsletters that give technical information on all the company's products.

It has not been a good week for Microsoft's security plans. The company came under fire after telling vnunet.com that Linux's reputation for security is a myth.

Then Russian security testers MaxPatrol published details of flaws in the basic Data Execution protocols included in XP Service Pack 2.

MaxPatrol said that it warned Microsoft about the flaws in October, and published the details because nothing had been done to correct it.

It is not known whether any of the new patches will deal with the flaws.