Microsoft  does not plan to release any security bulletins or patches this month despite claims from IT security companies that flaws require fixing.

Last month Microsoft issued 12 security bulletins covering 17 security flaws.

Every second Tuesday in each month Microsoft's Security Response Center releases a security bulletin pointing out vulnerability problems in their software -- ranging from text editors to enterprise servers -- and supplies patches to handle them.

Microsoft customers are informed three business days ahead of time on the rollouts and Friday were informed that the center "is planning to release no new security bulletins" Tuesday. This would be the second time Microsoft has chosen not to issue a security bulletin for a month. The last time was December 2003.

Even though there won't be new security updates, Microsoft will carry out their monthly technical webcast on Wednesday.

According to the Denmark-based IT security company Secunia, security managers should not consider the absence of security patches from Microsoft a reason to relax. Secunia has issued advisories of 30 unpatched or only partial fixed security holes on Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 alone.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.