"Not only is this Microsoft's largest patch load on record, but 23 of the vulnerabilities are rated at the most severe level, " he added.

BBC: Two million US PCs recruited to botnets

Similarly, airline passengers would have been far less inconvenienced in December if carriers had not been running at near-record load factors and if they had been keeping a few extra planes on hand for emergencies.

FORBES: Blame Antitrust, Not the Weather, For Travel Woes

The easy choice here is the Vanguard Health Care Fund, a no-load with low expenses and a superb performance record: 16% a year since inception in 1984.

FORBES: How To Create a Health Care Portfolio