The Problem:

Microsoft is about to unveil a major upgrade to its XP operating system. This free release, called Service Pack 2, is a major overhaul and is slated to offer several new security features. To upgrade or not to upgrade? That is the question.

The Solution:

The answer is yes!

Okay. Okay. I can hear the collective groan from the nonbelievers. They quickly say, "New software releases are typically buggy ... this upgrade is largely unproven and people should wait until the second version becomes available. It will have fewer bugs."

I understand their point. True, Service Pack 2 will not be the Holy Grail of software; nor will it work seamlessly with all configurations. But, in the greater scheme of things, it’s wiser to accept the security improvements and deal with any future issues than wait for an improved version, which may not come soon. The benefit of not leaving yourself exposed to known security flaws clearly overrides any underlying concerns about unfound bugs in the new software.

So what can you expect to get from the upgrade? There are at least five obvious benefits promised by the new upgrade. They are as follows.

1. You will get better network protection. Unlike previous versions of XP, the latest upgrade will automatically enable its built-in firewall and will close the ports where hackers typically gain entry. In the current version, these ports were left open.
2. Your browser will be more secure. The new and improved Internet Explorer will have a pop-up blocker installed. This will help mitigate spyware attacks. You will also find more accessible preferences for setting your browser’s security.
3. Sending and receiving email will be safer and hazardous attachments will be less of a threat. The upgrade will improve your e-mail’s default security settings and do a better job of intercepting potentially dangerous attachments.
4. Your PC will have better memory protection. Some hacker attacks leverage a flaw in your system’s memory to gain entry to your computer. The upgrade will do a better job of protecting against such buffer overruns.
5. You will get more updates and patches automatically. Once installed, the upgrade will configure your computer to ask you, when you first start up the machine, whether you want to automatically download Microsoft security updates. Of course, you should choose “yes.” So, now that you’re sold on the upgrade, here’s what to do to install the Service Pack 2.

• Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
• Click Performance and Maintenance.

Note If the Performance and Maintenance category is not visible, click Switch to Category View.

• Click System.
• Click Automatic Updates and then select Keep my computer up to date.
• Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify and setting a daily update.

You can set the automatic download time for any time, day or night. Just be sure your computer is on at that time. If you set up Automatic Updates to notify you, or if you forget to leave your computer on, you will see a notification balloon. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates.

For more info, go to www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2.

James Kerr is President/CEO of SuperGeeks, a Hawaii-based computer service and repair company (www.supergeeks.net). Please feel free to send your questions, comments and suggestions to Mr. Kerr. He can be reached at kerr@supergeeks.net and 942-0773.