Microsoft will release six security patches next Tuesday, fixing flaws in its Windows operating system. The updates will be released as part of Microsoft's regularly scheduled monthly patch release, and will fix critical flaws in Windows and XML (Extensible Markup Language) parser
This week, Microsoft updated its lifecycle Web site to note that the introduction of Service Pack 3--the next XP update--has been pushed back until the first half of 2008. Service Pack 3 has seen its schedule pushed out a few times, amid delays to Windows Vista. Most recently, Microsoft said in January that people should expect to see SP3 in the second half of 2007.
Microsoft has just posted their security patch bulletin for the month of October. As usual all required patches for your PC can be caught using Windows Update. A total of 10 patches were released this month including these 6 listed as 'Critical':
MS06-057: Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (923191) This update resolves a vulnerability in Windows that could allow remote code execution. MS06-058: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft PowerPoint Could Allow Remote Code Execution (924163) Critical. This update resolves vulnerabilities in PowerPoint that could allow remote code execution. MS06-059: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (924164) Critical. This update resolves vulnerabilities in Excel that could allow remote code execution. MS06-060: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (924554) Critical. This update resolves several vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word, the most critical of which could allow remote code execution. MS06-061: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft XML Core Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (924191) Critical. This update resolves vulnerabilities in Windows that could allow remote code execution. MS06-062: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (922581) Critical. This update resolves vulnerabilities in Office that could allow remote code execution.
On October 10, Microsoft will issue 11 security bulletins as part of this month's Patch Tuesday. Six of the updates affect Windows, with the highest severity being "critical." Another four patches will cover Microsoft Office, also with critical severity, while a moderate fix is slated for the .NET Framework.
On October 10, 2006, Microsoft will end support for Windows XP Service Pack1 (SP1). After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide any support options or security updates for the service pack .
It is recommended that you upgrade your computer to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a free update for Windows XP. It offers enhancements and better protection against viruses, hackers, and worms.
This is a reliability update for Windows XP machines. Install this audio component update to prevent memory corruption issues which may cause an unstable state on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
You use a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, or Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. When you try to put the computer in hibernation, the computer occasionally does not hibernate. When this problem occurs, you receive an error message that is similar to the following: Insufficient System Resources Exist to Complete the API. When you experience this problem, the hibernate feature is not available on the computer until you restart the computer. This problem typically occurs when the computer uses 1 gigabyte (GB) or more of RAM.
August 8th will be another substantial patch Tuesday for Microsoft, with the company releasing 12 security bulletins to fix flaws in Windows OS and the Office productivity suite. Ten of the patches will affect Windows, with at least one rated as a "critical" update. The other two security updates, at least one of which also is rated "critical," affect Office. The patches will be released as part of Microsoft's regularly scheduled monthly security update. Microsoft will also release an update to its Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update.