Windows Xp Problem to end before VISTA-Mi

AP

Redmond: Microsoft put out three software patches Tuesday that fix problems carrying a "critical" rating, the company's highest threat level.

All three could let an attacker remotely run code on a victim's computer. The patches close holes in the Internet Explorer Web browser, Windows Media Player program and Visual Studio 2005 development software.

Four other patches, for vulnerabilities deemed "important," also were released for Windows and its Outlook Express e-mail program.

Computer users with Microsoft's automatic updates feature enabled in Windows do not have to do anything to get these seven repairs. Others should visit: www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-dec.mspx.

The Redmond-based company is still working on a patch for a flaw disclosed last week in its widely used Word wordprocessor. The flaw allows hackers to take control of computers by sending a rigged e-mail attachment.

Alex Shipp, a researcher for antivirus

vendor MessageLabs Ltd, which claims to have discovered the Word flaw, said "the overall impact of the flaw is low."

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