Bonn, Germany  - Microsoft released six security updates on its most recently monthly "Patch Tuesday." The patches close up nine security holes in all, indicates the German Federal Agency for Security in Information Technology (BSI).

The holes can be found in Windows, Internet Explorer, and in the desktop publishing program Publisher, among others. They are in some cases being actively exploited by cybercrooks looking to smuggle malicious software onto the computers of unsuspecting users.

Those who have not used the automatic update function in Windows can find the patches at the Microsoft Update site (http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate). (dpa)