Windows XP’s Big Security Fix - Service Pack 2

If you’ve been longing for a more secure version of Windows, Windows XP Service Pack 2, due in mid-2004, should fit the bill. A response to the electronic attacks that crippled Windows PCs worldwide last year, Windows XP SP2 is a crucial upgrade centered on what Microsoft calls security technologies. I tested a beta of XP SP2 and came away impressed: With a simple installation (I experienced none of the compatibility hassles that some users encountered with SP1), much-needed security enhancements, and a friendlier front-end to wireless networking, XP SP2 is shaping up as a must-have upgrade for all Windows XP users. Service Pack 2 will be free, but Microsoft hasn’t yet said how it will distribute the pack.

. . . Windows XP Service Pack 2 may not solve all of your security problems: Hackers are notoriously industrious, and Windows will continue to be their target of choice. It’s also too early to tell whether SP2 will generate any woes similar to those that plagued many users who installed SP1. Nevertheless, this update does provide much of the basic plumbing you need for a better-protected operating system. If the beta is any indication, Windows XP Service Pack 2 will be a winner.

PCWorld

Windows XP’s Big Security Fix
Our test drive suggests that Service Pack 2 is a keeper–assuming no incompatibilities