This number of monthly updates released today (October 12) by Microsoft is a record one at a total of sixteen. Windows updates can have 3 different enhancement purposes: stability, performance and security. In this case, the whole batch is classified under enhanced security. Products affected include both the operating system and the Office products (all versions actively supported currently on both); even, in the case of Office, Macs.

Four of the updates are classified as critical (the top classification as far as urgency is concerned). Ten are classified as important, the next level down, and two as moderate, the next one down from important. Nine of the sixteen updates are designed to prevent remote code execution (i.e. a hacker taking control of your computer remotely by exploiting a vulnerability in your computer).

If you have Windows Update set to automatically download and install updates in your computer, there is no action required (other than a restart when the updates have been installed). If you have Windows Update set to notify you but not download, or set to download but not install automatically, or turned off, installing these updates will require user intervention (Of course if you have Windows Update set to anything but automatic, you might have more than these 16 updates to install).