Microsoft is gearing up for another edition of its Patch Tuesday security fixes, and it's preparing multiple repairs for programs running on everything from Windows XP to Windows 8 and RT. Perhaps just as important is that all versions of Internet Explorer are being targeted as well.
Considering that of the seven patches, four are considered "critical," while the other three are still labeled as "important," Patch Tuesday looks to be a suite of repairs that shouldn't be missed by Windows users. Critical threats allow hackers to access a user's computer to install malicious software, while the important repairs are intended to stop the "elevation of privileges," or the disclosure of private information and user data.
The first, and most important, patch is intended to resolve a remote code execution risk that can be exploited on all Windows versions since XP and every iteration of Internet Explorer version six and above.
Those who use Microsoft Silverlight in place of Flash will want to pay attention, whether they're Windows or Apple OS X owners, because the second critical patch is intended to fix a flaw in that program.
The third critical flaw also involves remote code executions in both Visio and the Office Filter Pack, while the fourth one is related to limiting hackers from accessing private information and files shared across networks.
Apple owners running Microsoft Office on Mac 2008 and 2011 should take note, because the "important" updates include fixes for their versions in addition to a privacy security flaw in Windows XP through Windows 8.
The particulars of each security flaw won't be revealed by Microsoft until the patches are available for download, but essentially this means a lot of people will need to update their systems. The patches will be available Tuesday, March 12.
