Exchange to receive new anti-spoofing email settings

Microsoft plans to release two security updates tomorrow for its Windows operating system and a single patch for Exchange.

The release is part of the software giant's regular patch cycle on the second Tuesday of each month.

At least one of the Windows updates has a severity rating of 'critical', as does the planned patch for Exchange.

The Windows update may require a system reboot, Microsoft said in a security bulletin.

The Exchange patch will tighten the application's default email settings, making it harder for users to send messages from mail boxes that are not theirs.

Microsoft is attempting to limit email address spoofing, where the 'from' address is different from the actual address where the message originated.

The change will affect users of email mobile devices such as the BlackBerry as well as email addresses that are used by groups of users.

The update will be available for download from Microsoft's website and through the auto-update features build into Microsoft's products.