Microsoft has just unveiled Microsoft Online Safety. It's chock-full of tips, information, and the latest security news to help you protect yourself, your family and your PC while using the Internet.

Adobe has release updated versions of it's Flash and Reader software to plug critical vulnerabilities that could enable an attacker to take control of your system by allowing malicious code to run.

Downloads:

• Flash Player for Internet Explorer (download to your PC, then double-click downloaded update to install).

• Flash Player for Firefox (once downloaded, double-click update to install).

• Adobe Reader (note: this patch can only be applied to version 9.1.2. If you are unsure, update to the latest version of Adobe Reader via the help menu in the program).

Update Adobe software as soon as possible to help keep your PC protected.

Yesterday, Microsoft took the unusual step of releasing two emergency updates, one for a Critical Vulnerability in Internet Explorer and another for Visual Studio. It is rare for Microsoft to deviate from it's monthly patch schedule, which should give you an idea of how important this particular update is. Normally, patches are issued once a month (on the second Tuesday).

Users of Internet Explorer in Windows 2000 and XP are being targeted thanks to a Video Active X exploit in DirectShow that is allowing PCs to become compromised.

Many websites have been hacked with a malicious script that checks for the vulnerability and if you visit the website with Windows 2000 or XP and do not have the vulnerability patched, the site will attempt to re-route you to a malicious site that will silently download and execute a keylogging program.

In addition to this latest exploit is another vulnerability in DirectShow that has not been patched by Microsoft either and affects ALL browsers. Both vulnerabilities are dangerous and considered “drive by downloads“.

Patches for these exploits are not yet available via Windows Update but Microsoft has created Advisories for each and Workaround fixes that can be used in the meantime to mitigate your risk.

This month Adobe implemented a new program that aims to provide a regular schedule for patches (similar to Microsoft's Patch Tuesday) in order to keep vulnerabilities to a minimum.

The first quarterly patch goes to Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat. This new version patches critical security vulnerabilities that crash the programs (Reader and Acrobat) and can allow an attacker to gain access to your PC.

Here are the latest Security Patches and updates issued by software vendors:

Adobe Reader & Acrobat: Adobe Reader and Acrobat suffer from javaScript vulnerabilities that have been patched in version 9.1.1.

QuickTime: Apple released a security update for QuickTime that fixes 10 vulnerabilities which can allow code execution. As usual when these types of vulnerabilities are patched it is recommended that you update the software as soon as possible.

Firefox: Mozilla has updated Firefox to version 3.0.10. The new version fixes a stability issue and a security vulnerability.

Adobe has issued a Security Update for Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat.

If left unpatched, the vulnerability can allow a malicious user to gain access to your computer. I strongly advise that those with older versions of Adobe Reader upgrade to the latest version immediately.

Adobe is warning about a Critical Vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader. Until a patch is issued, be wary of any PDFs posted online or received unexpectedly via email. If a malicious PDF file is opened, the vulnerability will allow malicious files to be silently downloaded onto your system. According to reports, this vulnerability is already being exploited.

Just as it's important to visit Windows Updates on a regular basis or have Automatic Updates enabled, it's also necessary to run the latest versions of software to ensure that your PC is protected. Of particular importance is always running the latest versions of Flash Player, Java, Adobe Reader and QuickTime. They have all experienced vulnerabilities in the past that have allowed PCs to become compromised while running the vulnerable versions.

Microsoft has just patched a Critical Vulnerability in Internet Explorer. It is important that users apply the patch immediately. This vulnerability is being actively exploited to download a password stealing Trojan onto PCs as unsuspecting users browse compromised websites with Internet Explorer.

Go to Windows Update today to install the update.