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Windows XP Service Pack
(SP2)
- Promises Better Protection From Hackers, Viruses, And Worms
Microsoft Corp. recently announced the release of the
long-awaited security software update for its popular Windows XP
operating system. Dubbed "Service Pack 2" (SP2) and costing almost
one billion dollars to develop, this free software download revises
less than five percent of the millions of lines of code that make up
Windows XP. However, the software upgrade promises to make users of
Windows XP much safer from cyberattacks. SP2 adds protection by
closing entries for viruses, increasing spyware barriers, and
improving the safeguards of users' personal data. (Over 250 million
copies of Windows XP have been sold worldwide.) Note: Windows XP
Service Pack 2 DOES NOT replace the need for third-party virus
protection, e-mail filtering, and firewall protection.
SP2
Is Potentially Buggy -- Download At Your Own Risk
As with
any release of new software, there promises to be bugs. SP2 is no
exception. Even Microsoft admits that SP2 may cause software
incompatibility issues (programs not working properly) once a user
downloads SP2. Microsoft provides a link (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242)
on its site which lists dozens of software programs and games that
may not work correctly once SP2 is downloaded. Companies who have
versions of software that may not run correctly after the download
include Symantec (anti-virus software), Macromedia, and even many
Microsoft products! This link also provides information on how to
resolve some of these incompatibility issues.
So keep in
mind that, while Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack (SP2) has many
new security features, it is still a work-in-progress. Download SP2
at your own risk.
Major Security Features Of The New
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2):
Limited Firewall
Protection - An Internet firewall helps to protect against
intruders gaining access to (hacking into) your computer via the
Internet. The firewall software, which currently comes as a part of
the Windows XP package known as the "Internet Connection Firewall"
(ICF), is replaced by a new firewall software called "Windows
Firewall." Windows Firewall, although not as comprehensive as many
third-party firewalls, is more robust than ICF. In addition, Windows
Firewall is automatically "on" as a default setting once the SP2
download is complete. (This is the reason for many of the software
program conflicts mentioned above.) Windows XP's current firewall is
not "on" by default. As a result, most Windows XP users are not
using nor were even aware of XP's current firewall availability.
Pop-up Ad Blocker - SP2 installs and activates a
pop-up ad blocker by default for use when surfing the Internet via
Internet Explorer. The settings for this blocker are adjustable. You
can shut the blocking software off if you like pop-ups, use sites
that require pop-ups to function properly, or enjoy using your
current ad blocking software.
E-mail and Instant
Messaging Protection - New e-mail protection settings are
available. Also, security cautions appear when attempting to open or
save suspect attachments received by e-mail or during instant
messaging sessions.
Downloading Windows XP Service Pack
(SP2)
While the benefits of installing Service Pack 2 are
many, users of Windows XP may find challenges when downloading the
software. Microsoft estimates that download file sizes could range
anywhere from 80 megabytes to 270 megabytes. (Yikes!) Downloaded
file sizes will vary because the operating system on a user's
computer will download only the components of SP2 that it needs. If
a user has been downloading security updates all along, the
downloaded file will be smaller and not take as long. The
downloading of bigger files using slower Internet connections could
take as long as a few days according to Microsoft!
Rather
than downloading the Windows XP Service Pack 2 via the Internet, an
alternative option is to obtain the software on CD-ROM. Microsoft
Corp. will soon begin taking requests at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
and ship CDs free of charge to Windows XP users. (Delivery may take
up to two months.) New boxed retail versions of Windows XP that
include SP2 will be available by the end of October 2004. So, if you
are still using Windows 98 and looking to upgrade your operating
system to Windows XP, wait until November 2004 and be sure that SP2
is included as part of the package.
Note: Again, keep in
mind that SP2 is a work-in-progress. Download SP2 at your own risk.
Also, Microsoft provides a "restore point" option in Windows which
promises to "roll back" your computer to where it was prior to the
download of SP2. If you run Windows XP and intend to download SP2,
it may be prudent to create a "restore point" on your computer as a
safeguard prior to the download. See the tutorial below for
step-by-step information.
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Web Site
Subscription Service - Save up to 60% on
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See a partial list of participating
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Ask The Help Desk - Web Browser Not
Accepting "Cookies?"
Question: I
have the cookie settings on my Internet Explorer 6 browser disabled
so that my computer does not accept any cookies. I just came across
a Web site that does not provide me with full access to the site
unless I accept its cookies. I have enabled my cookie settings so
that I can gain access to this site but it still won't allow me to
access it. What else do I need to do to make this work? (My
operating system is Windows XP.)
Answer:
The cookie settings are more involved than just turning them on or
off when using Internet Explorer 6 on a PC. In fact, there are six
different cookie settings ranging from "Block All Cookies" to
"Accept All Cookies." The default setting is medium and if you've
adjusted it back to that, it's possible that the current setting is
not low enough for some sites. Gradually "loosen up" on your cookie
settings until the site works by clicking your cursor arrow on the
"Tools" menu, dropping down to "Internet Options," and then clicking
on the "Privacy" tab. Lower your cookie settings slider one notch
and click on the "Apply" button. Close the "Internet Options" window
and try your site again. If you are still unsuccessful, repeat the
process by lowering your cookie settings by one notch until the site
works properly.
If your browser is still not accepting
cookies from the site, close Internet Explorer and relaunch it.
Check your cookie settings and then try the site again. If that
still doesn't work, a restart of your computer may do the trick.
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Great Sites To Check Out This
Month
Find Out How Hybrid Autos Work http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm
- With the recent increase in fuel costs, there's been more talk
about hybrid cars. Hybrid technology (uses two or more sources of
power to provide propulsion) has been around for a while. Many
locomotives and buses combine diesel and electric power. Some
submarines utilize either diesel-electric or nuclear-electric power.
Mopeds combine the power derived from a gasoline engine with the
pedal power of its rider. But what goes on under the hood of a
hybrid auto that can give you 20 to 30 additional miles per gallon
compared to a traditional gasoline-powered auto? This site reveals
all!
Trump's "The Apprentice" Returns For Second Season http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Apprentice_2/
- The first season of NBC's "The Apprentice" was a huge hit. Last
spring, an average of 20.7 million people watched the television
show each week. The Donald returns this month to test the business
skills of eighteen new candidates. Tougher, more intense weekly
dossiers are planned for the teams this season. Each night will, of
course, culminate with one candidate hearing Mr. Trump's words,
"You're Fired!" This site allows you to catch-up on the latest
episode news, read candidate bios, review current updates about last
season's candidates, and a lot more.
See What's Up In Space
Today http://spaceweather.com/ - Even
if you have only a casual interest in what's happening in outer
space, this Web site is an interesting one to bookmark. Each day the
site provides editorial and images of what's going on up above in
the wild blue yonder ... asteroid flybys, aurora storms, planet
alignments, spacecraft sightings, meteor storms, etc. You can even
sign-up to have the creators of Spaceweather.com call you when
things are happening in the sky over your hometown. (There is a
monthly fee for this service.) Check out the site and then head out
to your backyard tonight to see all the action firsthand.
Getting Help With Homework http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/bjpinchbeck/
- Now that the kids are back in school, they may be needing some
assistance with their homework. Look no further than BJ Pinchbeck's
site. It has links to over 700 sites that can help kids with their
homework. The links are divided by subject for easy searching.
There's also a set of fun study tool links that will help make both
you and your child wiser.
College Football 2004 Has Arrived!
http://ncaasports.com/football/mens
- College football season has finally arrived. A great place to keep
updated on your favorite Division 1-A, Division 1-AA, Division II,
and Division III teams is at the NCAA's official college football
site. It includes up-to-the-minute scores, the latest polls,
regional rankings, records, game schedules, photo galleries, bowl
schedules, and statistics. It's got it all!
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Short Tutorial - Create
"Restore Point" On Computer Before Downloading SP2
If
you use Windows XP and plan to install Microsoft's free Windows XP
Service Pack (SP2), it would be wise to create a "restore point" on
your computer BEFORE you download SP2. Similar to backing up your
system, creating a restore point lets you roll back your computer to
where it was prior to the download of SP2. (Just in case something
goes wrong during the SP download or software applications don't
work properly afterwards, it's better to be safe than sorry.) It's
easy. Here's how to do it:
1) Click your cursor arrow on the
"Start" menu.
2) Go to "All Programs" on the pop-up list.
3)
Go to "Accessories" on the sub-menu.
4) Go to the "System Tools"
sub-menu.
5) Select "System Restore" from the sub-menu by
clicking on it.
6) The "Welcome to System Restore" window will
open. Click your cursor arrow on "Create a Restore Point." Then
click on the "Next >" button.
7) When the "Create a Restore
Point" dialog box opens, give your restore point a name by typing it
in the "Restore point description" field. Click on the "Create"
button.
8) The "Restore Point Created" window will open giving
you the name of the restore point along with the date and time it
was created.
9) Click on the "Close" button.
If you
actually needed to restore your system to its pre-SP2 download
state, follow these steps:
1) Click your cursor arrow on the
"Start" menu.
2) Go to "All Programs" on the pop-up list.
3)
Go to "Accessories" on the sub-menu.
4) Go to the "System Tools"
sub-menu.
5) Select "System Restore" from the sub-menu by
clicking on it.
6) The "Welcome to System Restore" window will
open. Click your cursor arrow on "Restore my computer to an earlier
time." Then click on the "Next >" button.
7) When the "Select
a Restore Point" window opens, select the pre-SP2 download date
within the calendar frame you chose as your restore point. Then, on
the list, click on the name you called your restore point. Click
"Next >."
8) Read the warnings on the "Confirm Restore Point
Selection" window, and if you are satisfied that you selected the
correct restore point, click the "Next >" button.
9) The
system will log you off, shutdown, and then do "system restore."
When it is completed, Windows will restart.
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