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Last Updated: Apr 20th, 2005 - 18:45:27 |
If you use a personal computer that runs on Microsoft Windows XP software, you have probably been plagued by a lot of computer viruses, worms, and other nasties. That’s because hackers like to go after Microsoft just because it is the biggest and most widely used operating system, and because Microsoft seems to leave a lot of holes in its software for bugs to get in.
Now the Seattle giant is taking a major step with the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2. Behind that odd name are a host of fixes designed to patch some of the worst security problems in Windows. We can’t cover many details in a short article, but the main message is: This is good for your computer, so install it. It’s free. But be careful. Before applying Service Pack 2, make sure to do full backup of everything on your PC. SP2 could change a few things around and uninstall some things.
SP2 includes a total rewrite of the Internet Explorer browser that requires you give permission before downloading files and programs from the Internet. This prevents hidden programs from sneaking onto your hard drive when you visit a Web site. There’s also a new firewall, the protective block against computer worms that creep in. And the new Windows Security Center reports the status of your firewall, checks your antivirus software, and pesters you to set up automatic downloading of future security patches from Microsoft.
The new security software could save you a lot of trouble, even though it can be a little trouble to install. The sooner you do it, the safer your computing will be.
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