Microsoft prepares seven patches to correct 25 security bugs

Microsoft is prepping seven patches for delivery in next week's security update. The fixes are set to address 25 vulnerabilities, covering Windows, Internet Explorer, Visual Basic for Applications, Dynamics AX and the .NET Framework. Three of the seven bulletins are rated "critical" -- and all affect Microsoft's latest operating platform, Windows 7 -- while the remaining are designated "important." The patches are due Tuesday around 2 p.m. EST.