A summary of recent and upcoming updates you should know about:

Windows Updates: Microsoft has published a Security Bulletin Advance Notification indicating that its May release will contain seven bulletins (updates). These bulletins will have the severity ratings of critical and important.  The release of these bulletins is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

Google Chrome web browser: Google has released Chrome 18.0.1025.168 for Linux, Macintosh, Windows, and Google Chrome Frame to address multiple vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition. It also contains an automatic update for Adobe Flash (covered next). To check what version of Chrome you have and to update as needed, click on the wrench symbol on the upper right corner of a Chrome window, and then select About Google Chrome.

Adobe Flash: Adobe released a Security Advisory for Adobe Flash Player a couple of days ago to address a vulnerability affecting the following software versions:

• Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.233 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems
• Adobe Flash Player 11.1.115.7 and earlier versions for Android 4.x
• Adobe Flash Player 11.1.111.8 and earlier versions for Android 3.x and 2.x

This vulnerability may allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. There are reports that the vulnerability is being exploited in the wild in active targeted attacks designed to trick the user into clicking on a malicious file delivered in an email message. To check what version of Flash you have installed in your computer, click here.

 Keeping your computer(s) up-to-date with the latest patches from the various software vendors is one of the key steps to fend off malicious cyber-attacks.