Product Reviews

Microsoft has released its second major update for Windows XP. Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a combination of bug fixes, security updates and extra features. It is free to download from Microsoft's website or you can install it from this month's cover CD. Alternatively, turn on Automatic Updates and your PC will download the pieces of SP2 that it needs. You don't need to have installed SP1 first.

SP2 is stuffed with 784 updates, 70 of which are security patches. A full list of the updates is available from Microsoft's website (Knowledge Base Article 811113).

When SP2 is first installed, and even before you log in, Windows asks you to turn on Automatic Updates - the first sign that it is trying hard to secure customers' PCs. New security updates have been made available since SP2's release and Automatic Updates will download and install them.

The new Security Center shows the status of the built-in firewall, automatic updates and virus protection. If you don't have anti-virus protection, which is not included with SP2, Windows will display a warning. Clicking on it loads a web

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page listing well-known anti-virus developers, such as F-Secure, McAfee and Symantec.

The firewall, provided with the standard installation of Windows XP, has been improved and is now enabled by default. This can cause some programs to stop working properly. You'll have to change its settings using the Exceptions list to get some games working when playing online. You can choose a program from a list and specify who can access it. Initially no incoming connections are allowed, but you can let people on your local network, or even the whole internet, connect to a program.

A pop-up blocker has been added to Internet Explorer. It can prevent pop-up adverts and reduce your chances of accidentally downloading spyware. You can specify websites that are allowed to create pop-up web pages.

Setting up a wireless network is simpler with SP2 installed. A new Wireless Network Setup Wizard lets you choose sensible, secure settings, including a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) key or the preferred standard WiFi Protected Access (WPA) with preshared key (PSK). It can then copy these settings to a flash drive. Plug this drive into other PCs and network devices such as printers, and they will be configured automatically to join the wireless network. This works with other Windows XP systems with SP2 installed and devices that support the Windows Smart Network Key (WSNK) feature.

Even if you're already using a personal firewall and anti-virus software, you should install SP2. It could solve any number of issues, such as crashing printer installations, randomly freezing Windows sessions and disappearing Windows Restore Points. Things should run more smoothly and securely.