What to do after installing Service Pack 2 (SP2)
 | Hot topics about setting up SP2New features mean new settings to manage, and new security-related settings mean default settings that you’ll want to know about. Read answers to the most commonly asked questions about setting up programs and services with SP2. |
- Understanding Windows Firewall: Introduction
Windows Firewall, previously known as Internet Connection Firewall or ICF, is a protective boundary that monitors and restricts information that travels between your computer and a network or the Internet. This provides a line of defense against someone who might try to access your computer from outside the Windows Firewall without your permission. - Block Pop-up Windows with Internet Explorer
Many legitimate advertisers on the Internet use windows that pop up in the middle of your screen to display a message. They might also open when you click a link or button on a Web site, and they might open either over or under the window you wish to view. Some pop-ups are helpful. For example, if you click an image to see a larger version, it might open in a pop-up window. Unfortunately, some pop-up windows can contain inappropriate content or can be a way for you to accidentally download dangerous software (called spyware or adware) onto your computer. - Manage Your Computer's Security Settings in One Place: Introduction
SP2 contains a collection of new technologies designed to help keep your PC and your personal information more secure. SP2 also makes it easier to monitor these settings with the new Windows Security Center, available through the Control Panel.
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 | Videos, how-to topics, and moreWalk through important Windows XP SP2 settings and how to manage them with these 5-minutes-or-less videos. Get more information and step-by-step directions for configuring and setting up SP2 with these frequently-requested articles. |
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 | Troubleshooting and customizing settingsWant to learn how to customize security-related settings and other features delivered in Windows XP SP2? These Microsoft Knowledge Base articles and support topics can help. |
- Some programs seem to stop working after you install SP2
After you install SP2, some programs may seem not to work. By default, Windows Firewall is enabled and blocks unsolicited connections to your computer. This article discusses how to make an exception and enable a program to run by adding it to the list of exceptions. - How to use the Security Alert dialog box when it appears on your screen
When a program tries to use one or more of the resources or the ports on your system that are covered by the firewall, a Security Alert dialog box appears. This article describes the Security Alert dialog box options available to you. - How to Disable Firewall Alerts
Windows Firewall will automatically be enabled in SP2 and Windows Security Center will tell you the status of the firewall and display an alert if it stops working. If you install and run another firewall, you should turn off Windows Firewall.
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 | Related ResourcesIf you didn’t find exactly what you were looking for on this page, try these additional setting and configuration-related resources. |
- Description of the Internet Explorer Information Bar
The new Internet Explorer Information Bar is displayed when potentially dangerous actions on a Web page have been blocked. This article describes the different notification messages displayed by the Information Bar. - Description of the Windows Firewall feature in SP2
This article describes the Windows Firewall feature in SP2. Windows Firewall is the updated software firewall in Windows XP SP2 that replaces the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) feature. - Description of the Data Execution Protection feature
SP2 uses a new data execution prevention (DEP) feature to prevent the execution of code from data pages. When an attempt is made to run code from a marked data page, an exception immediately occurs and prevents the code from executing. This prevents the attacker from overrunning a data buffer with code and then executing the code.
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