<p>Software giant Microsoft is planning to release seven software updates next week, as part of its monthly Patch Tuesday upgrade cycle.</p><p>Four of the updates have been described as "critical" by Microsoft, while the remainder have been classified as "important".</p><p>Three of the four critical updates, if not installed, could allow hackers to gain control of users' machines, as they will be used to patch remote code vulnerabilities in Windows, Internet Explorer, Silverlight, Visio and Microsoft Office.</p><p>The remote vulnerability blighting Windows and Internet Explorer affects nearly every version of the products, from Windows XP SP3 and Internet Explorer 6 upwards.</p><p><a href="http://www.itpro.co.uk/security/19384/microsoft-fix-office-windows-and-ie-flaws-march-patch-tuesday-updates">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/08/ms_patch_tuesday_pre_alert/">Microsoft preps UPDATE ALL THE THINGS security patch batch</a> (Register)</p><p><a href="http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=14567">Microsoft to release seven bulletins next week</a> (Help Net Security)</p><p><a href="http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/applications/3434075/microsoft-slates-ie-windows-office-updates-for-next-week/">Microsoft slates IE, Windows, Office updates for next week</a> (ComputerworldUK)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dh1IhBuzh2EySeMoTpHLWBR_3l5vM&ned=us">346 additional articles.</a></p>