Windows 7: Patch Tuesday: Microsoft to fix five critical security flaws

Microsoft will release nine security patches next week for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office, along with a splattering of enterprise products, such as Exchange and SQL Server.

Five of the patches are for critical vulnerabilities.

The patches will fix flaws that allow remote code execution, which would give hackers and malware writers access to install malware without user prompts or permission. Microsoft describes 'critical' as an exploit that "could allow code execution without user interaction" such as opening an email or Web page.

Internet Explorer will see its third update in as many months, following security updates in June and July. Typically the software giant updates the browser every other month, but reversed the decision which was welcomed by security experts and firms.