Biggest Windows security update in over a year

Microsoft has released one of its most important security updates for more than a year that fixes 12 software flaws, with 9 of them applying to the Windows OS where one is given a critical rating. Microsoft strongly urges Windows users to download the patches when available on June 13. Currently, one of the loopholes patched is already actively exploited by malicious hackers. Microsoft will also discontinue support for Windows 98 and ME patches on 11 July 2006 due to a major software re-write required and recommends users on those two platforms to upgrade to its Windows XP SP2 soonest possible.