Microsoft announces it will issue 14 security bulletins next week to patch 20 vulnerabilities in Windows, IE, Office, and Windows Media Player. Three of the 14 updates tagged with Microsoft’s “critical” label, the highest threat ranking in its four-step system. Security expert: “It looks like a big cleanup, where they’re trying to get as much as they can off their plate before the end of the year” The 14 updates slated for next week are three off the record of 17 set in December 2010 and repeated in April 2011.”]