Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains:
* Enhanced Security
* Safer E-Mail Handling
* Enhanced Browser Security
* Easier Wireless Networking
Enhanced Security:
Service Pack 2 contains significant security enhancements, including the following:
* Improved Windows Firewall: active for every network connection by default, but easily configurable.
* Improved protection against computer attacks that use the remote procedure call (RPC), like the Blaster worm.
* Microsoft Security Center: A feature of Service Pack 2 that allows users to manage all aspects of their computer's security in a single window, including firewall and antivirus configuration.
Safer E-Mail Handling:
Service Pack 2 contains enhancements to Microsoft Outlook Express, which automatically block e-mail attachments that are known to be dangerous. Outlook Express also blocks images contained in HTML messages, until you determine whether or not you trust the source.
Enhanced Browser Security:
With Service Pack 2, Internet Explorer gets an automatic pop-up advertisement blocker. The first time you visit a web site that uses pop-up advertising, you are prompted to specify a level of pop-up blocking for the site.
Easier Wireless Networking:
Service Pack 2 also includes some changes to the wireless networking interface. These changes are designed to make it easier to understand which wireless networks are available, what kind of security is configured for them, and how strong each connection is.