The Nyxem worm, also known by the names Kama Sutra, MyWife and Blackdoom, was set to activate a dangerous payload Feb. 3 that would wipe out files held in infected desktop computers. However, as the day moves forward hour by hour across the globe, security experts say they see few signs yet of widespread Nyxem damage.

Oracle Corp. and a security researcher are trading heated barbs over a vulnerability in the company's software that has gone unpatched since it was discovered in October.

As part of its monthly security updates, Microsoft Corp. Tuesday released patches for two critical vulnerabilities in its products. The more serious of the two flaws is a remote code execution vulnerability affecting Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange Server products.

Users of the Windows OS should install an unofficial security patch now, without waiting for Microsoft Corp. to make its move, security researchers at The SANS Institute's Internet Storm Center (ISC) advised on Sunday.