Help Protect Your PC

Chances are, your computer is connected to the Internet. And if it is, you know how fun and useful the Internet can be. But it's also a popular place for unfriendly users who might want to spread viruses or gain access to your computer. Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains features that help make your computer more resistant to threats from the Internet.

Use these built-in features for safer computing

• To let you see your computer’s security status at all times, the new Security Center monitors your essential security settings and warns you when your computer might be at risk.
• To help defend your computer against attacks from the Internet, Windows Firewall is on by default.
• To make sure you receive the very latest critical updates in response to worms and viruses, Automatic Updates is easier to turn on and use.
• To provide enhanced protection when using wireless connections in public places, you can take advantage of features that help protect your computer from other computers on the same wireless network.
• To help reduce your exposure to harmful programs and viruses, Internet Explorer has several new security features.
• To make it safer to read e-mail messages, Outlook Express automatically blocks images and takes advantage of the enhanced security settings in Internet Explorer.

Take these extra steps as further precautions

The features listed above work together to make your computing experience more secure and enjoyable. But there are other things you can—and should—do to help protect your computer (and the computers of those you communicate with) from attacks coming from the Internet.

The use of antivirus software, handling e-mail messages with great care(especially when they contain attachments), and careful selection of the Web sites you visit are key to helping you keep your computer more secure. When you do these things, you become a better computer user by taking your computer security into your own hands. You also help prevent the spread of viruses to other computer users.

For more information about protecting your computer and your privacy online, visit the Microsoft Security and Privacy Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/) and the Microsoft Protect your PC Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/).

Microsoft cares about your privacy. For privacy information about this software, click here.