How does Microsoft Service Pack 2 Help protect you?

Microsoft released Service Pack 2 (SP2) in August of 2004. While some folks installed it with great apprehension others have avoided it altogether either because they don’t believe it to be necessary or because of the tirades others have reported. Some users have reported problems after installing SP2 such as hardware or software not functioning or not functioning properly. These problems are usually resolved by obtaining a new driver or update from Microsoft or the applicable vendor.

SP2 is only for Windows XP and does not apply to Windows 98/SE and ME. Not to fear though, despite rumors Microsoft will still provide critical updates for Windows 98/SE and ME. Their website indicates that these updates will be provided until at least June 0f 2006.

SP2 is Microsoft’s answer to the evolving computer issues caused by ITDs (Internet transmitted diseases) and other problems that plague the operating system. After installing SP2 Windows will by default setup a firewall, enable a popup blocker and check you system for an antivirus program and let you know if it is current with updated virus signatures. These are just some of the safeguard measures that Microsoft takes to help protect your computer.

If you never installed Service Pack 1 don’t worry. SP2 includes all of those updates as well. You can expect the installation to take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with a reboot after the installation is complete. After the installation is complete and your computer has been restarted you will be presented with prompts on your screen asking you to activate automatic download of Microsoft critical updates, and check your antivirus and firewall settings. You will have the option of letting your antivirus software monitor the antivirus settings which is the preferred method if you are using either Symantec’s or McAfee’s antivirus applications.

Microsoft not only culminated all their critical updates since SP1 in this service pack but included some security enhancements. To start off with SP2 has a “Security Center” which keeps tabs on your antivirus, firewall and of course your Microsoft updates. Kind of like the National Security Threat Adversary, this Security Center presents itself with a shield at the bottom of your computer screen in the Task Bar, with different colors alerting you about the status of your computers security status. If there is something that needs your attention the shield will produce a text balloon telling you what the issue is and invite you to click on it for instructions on how to resole it. The shield will appear in one of four colors in your task tray.


Blue means that you have a potential security risk, yes; I know it is a little vague. Microsoft goes a little further with the yellow shield. This means that your computer security settings are not as secure as they should be. If you see the red shield this could mean that your antivirus definitions are out of date or that you do not have a firewall installed. Green is good.


While SP2 doesn’t directly prevent spyware from invading your computer it does take steps to ensure that your system has it defenses up. It is highly recommended that you enable automatic updates. Hackers and kiddy scripters are busy at work producing new villains. Microsoft is busy in turn building patches and preventions from them in the form of updates to you.

I touched on some of the major features of SP2 but many of the changes made to Winodws are behind the scenes such as security enhancements to Internet Explorer. Some people may find that the new popup blocker that is enabled by default will not let them access certain sites such as their bank or other financial institution. The popup blocker is easily disable by clicking on Tools from the top menu bar in Internet Explorer, then clicking on Pop-up Blocker, then Turn Off Pop-up Blocker.

Now that I’ve said SP2 doesn’t directly prevent spyware they have introduced a new antispyware tool that is free but again only for users of XP. This tool which is still in the beta stages does a pretty good job at detecting and deleting spyware. Microsoft simply calls it AntiSpyware and it provides full time protection from those evil vermin. It is a free download from the Microsoft.com website.

To learn more about SP2 refer to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx
Stay tuned as next month I will review a new up and comer in the Antispyware tool shed.

 

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