Microsoft finally releases Mac patches, kernel APIs

You'll recall that last week, Microsoft issued a security update for Mac versions of Office, but then quickly withdrew them from the Microsoft website. As it turns out, the patches were pre-release binaries and Microsoft urged anyone who may have installed them to uninstall the updates from their systems. Well, Microsoft has now officially released the patches and hopefully they're for real this time.

In other Microsoft security news, the company has finally released that set of kernel-level APIs that it promised to security developers way back in October. Developers now have a scant few weeks to get their products ready for Vista before it officially launches. And if their products aren't ready in time? Well then, I guess consumers will have to settle for Vista's built-in security. Wow, who would've thunk it?

For more on Microsoft's latest security stirrings:
- see this ZDnet blog post

ALSO: An interview with Microsoft's Ben Fathi on the release of the APIs. Q&A