Microsoft gives the masses early security warnings

Before Microsoft releases its patches, it gives its biggest customers an email heads-up on its monthly security patching. Now, Redmond has decided to get all democratic and give all customers an 'early warning'.

The latest patches are announced by Microsoft on the second Tuesday of each month but from this month onwards, consumers and business customers alike will get advance warning three days before the patches are available.

Information will be published on Microsoft's TechNet security website from November but customers will have to wait to join email notification lists - the sign-up system will be available from next month.

The notifications will give users details on the severity rating of the security flaws, what programmes they can be found in and the number of patches that will be released.

Microsoft said that the new early warning system is being introduced "in response to consumer feedback" and was designed to "to assist customers with resource planning for the monthly security bulletin release" but shouldn't provide malware merchants with enough advice to exploit the vulnerabilities.

You can view the Microsoft Advance Notification site here.