Microsoft Releases 8 Critical Patches

Microsoft Corp. released eight critical updates Tuesday to patch security holes in its Windows operating system, Internet Explorer browser, Windows Media Player and Office productivity software.

The critical patches - so called because they address problems deemed to pose the highest threat in Microsoft's security warning system - all are designed to prevent an attacker from taking control of another person's computer without that user's permission.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker also released three patches rated "important" and one that was rated "moderate."

Users can go to http://www.microsoft.com/security to download the Microsoft patches.