Windows gets big security update

One of the biggest security updates for more than a year is due to released by Microsoft to fix 12 software flaws. Nine of the updates apply to the Windows operating system and one is deemed critical, a rating reserved for the most serious security problems. At least one of the loopholes being patched is already being actively exploited by malicious hackers.

Windows users are being urged to download the patches as soon as they become available on Tuesday 13 June. Note that Windows 98 and ME will not be receiving these updates given that all support for these ends on 11 July 2006.

Microsoft issues its security patches on the second Tuesday of every month and June's update will be the biggest for more than a year. This is because Microsoft is not only tackling security problems but also the fallout of a legal case that the software giant lost.