Microsoft Corp. is planning two software security fixes -- at least one of which is rated "critical" -- as part of its monthly release of security updates slated for Tuesday. Both patches are for the Windows operating system, according to Microsoft's Web site. A critical rating for a bug means that a worm could take advantage of it without any user action.

RIM in mediated talks with NTP

Research In Motion Ltd. and NTP Inc. are in talks with a mediator in an attempt to settle their ongoing legal dispute, which could lead to an injunction halting BlackBerry handheld and e-mail service in the U.S. RIM has been unable to overturn a 2003 jury verdict that it infringed on wireless e-mail patents held by NTP.

Sober attack is expected on Jan. 5

Commands hard-coded into the latest variant of the Sober worm indicate that its next major attack will come on Jan. 5, according to VeriSign Inc.'s iDefense cyberintelligence service. The trigger coincides with the 87th anniversary of the launch of the Nazi party and coincides with a major German political convention. The Sober worm and its variants have emerged as the year's most prolific malware.