Security fixes this week from Microsoft, Adobe

Security updates are due this week from Microsoft, including a fix for a problem with Internet Explorer, and also from Adobe, addressing problems with its Flash Player and Adobe AIR.The Microsoft updates are the company’s last monthly ‘Patch Tuesday’ for 2009. The six patches will cover 12 vulnerabilities, three of them listed as ‘critical’. These vulnerabilities in Windows, Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer would allow remote control of a user’s computer if exploited.The updates will be issued automatically to Windows users overnight Tuesday-Wednesday (NZ time) and will require you to restart your computer.The Adobe updates will address “critical” security issues. Users who have the software installed will probably be notified; otherwise, update links will be posted by the end of Tuesday, NZ time, at blogs.adobe.com/psirt Adobe says it is also working to fix a reported problem with Adobe Illustrator, and recommends that customers avoid opening .eps files from unknown sources in Illustrator until a patch is available.