Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
REDMOND, Wash. (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. released five security bulletins Tuesday to fix flaws that could allow an attacker to take complete control of someone else's computer system.
The security flaws rated "critical" -- Microsoft's highest threat level -- affect the company's Windows computer operating system, Internet Explorer browser, MSN Messenger, Microsoft Word software and Exchange server system.
The software maker also released three other patches to fix Windows flaws that carry less of a security threat. But the company said those "important" bulletins also could allow a malicious user to take control of another person's computer.
All the flaws affect computers with operating systems dating back to Windows 98. Users who have installed Microsoft's massive security update for Windows XP, Service Pack 2, also will need to install some patches.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
