"Microsoft is advising users to stick with other browsers until Tuesday, when 57 patches for Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8, 9, and even 10 are scheduled. There is no word if this patch is to protect IE from the 50+ Java exploits that were patched last week or the new Adobe Flash vulnerabilities. Microsoft has more information here. In semi-related news, IE 10 is almost done for Windows 7 and has a IE10 blocker available for corporations. No word on whether IE 10 will be included as part of the 57 updates."

Microsoft has released a quick fix for a vulnerability in older versions of its Internet Explorer browser that is actively being used by attackers to take over computers. The vulnerability affects IE versions 6, 7 and 8. The latest versions of the browser, 9 and 10, are not affected. The company occasionally issues quick fixes as a temporary protective measure while a permanent security update is developed if a vulnerability is considered particularly dangerous.

"Word comes from DICE that PC owners will get the new mega patch later today once server maintenance has been completed. The maintenance on the servers is scheduled for 9 to 11:30 CET, and once completed, the PC patch will be made available."

"A month after releasing a temporary workaround to block malware exploiting a Windows kernel vulnerability, Microsoft today issued a patch for all supported releases of Windows aimed at putting an end to attacks based on the Duqu worm."

"Microsoft has warned that it will release 16 security bulletins tomorrow, nine involving critical vulnerabilities. In total, it plans to patch 34 vulnerabilities.

Redmond will patch critical vulnerabilities in all supported versions of Windows for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Critical vulnerabilities as bugs "whose exploitation could allow the propagation of an Internet worm without user action."

"Microsoft has patched a record 64 vulnerabilities in Windows, Office and five other software packages, many of which allowed attackers to remotely install malware on end user machines. The most important fixes addressed a vulnerability in the Internet Explorer browser that was exploited in last month's Pwn2Own contest. Although details were kept confidential, hackers have begun exploiting the critical flaw in real-world attacks, Microsoft warned. The use-after-free vulnerability affects versions 8 and earlier of the Microsoft browser."

"For the third time this year, Microsoft has issued a record-setting security patch. The company's December Bulletin Release includes 17 security bulletins addressing 40 vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office, Windows, Internet Explorer, SharePoint Server and Exchange." | more

"Blizzard released a patch of epic proportions for World of Warcraft on Tuesday, its first step toward the game's third expansion, Cataclysm, which has an official release date of December 7. While the changes in the patch are just a small fraction of the changes to come in the expansion proper, many aspects of the game have already been reworked.