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Microsoft's Windows XP SP2 Page
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Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2FeaturesMicrosoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies provides users with an enhanced security infrastructure to help defend against viruses, worms, and hackers. In addition, it helps provide increased manageability and control along with an improved, more consistent user experience. Windows Security Center Windows Security Center provides a central location for viewing security status, changing security settings, and learning more about security issues. The Security Center is located in the Control Panel and shows the status of three important security components —Windows Firewall, Automatic Updates, and antivirus software. It also serves as a starting point for getting to other security-related areas and for finding security-related support and resources. The Security Center runs as a background process, constantly checking the state of these three important security components:
Windows Firewall Using a firewall is important no matter what type of Internet connection is used—dial-up, cable modem, or DSL. If a firewall isn't activated when you are connected to the Internet, it's possible for hackers to access your computer and install harmful code that can destroy files or cause malfunctions. Windows Firewall ships with SP2 and is turned on by default. The Security Center constantly checks to see whether Windows Firewall is on and provides an alert if it is turned off. Windows Firewall works by blocking incoming requests to your computer. If you run a program such as an instant messaging program or a network application that needs to receive information from the Internet or a network, the firewall asks if you want to block or unblock (allow) the connection. You should see a window like the one below.
Choose Keep Blocking to continue blocking the program in the future, Unblock to allow the program from being blocked in the future, and Ask Me Later to grant the program to have access for the session. You may manage the programs that are given exceptions to Windows Firewall by going to the Security Center and clicking on Windows Firewall under Manage Security Settings For. Click on the Exceptions tab to see the screen below.
Note : If you are using any third party Firewalls, such as ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security or McAfee Personal Firewall, ITS recommends disabling Windows Firewall to avoid any possible conflicts. You can disable the Windows Firewall by:
Automatic Updates Windows Security Center also checks to make sure Automatic Updates is using the recommended setting, which is "Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them: <every day at 3am>". If Automatic Updates is turned on but the settings are other than Automatic (recommended), Windows Security Center provides an alert in a bubble at the bottom of your screen that prompts you to download and install the updates. Click the bubble to download the updates.
Note Remember to download and install the updates on your computer. If you don't install updates they will not be active and your computer may be more vulnerable. Virus protection Windows Security Center looks for the presence of antivirus software. It also looks to see whether the software is up to date and whether real-time scanning is turned on. This helps protect your computer from viruses and worms that can destroy data and consume valuable resources. If one of these security components is missing or has settings that degrade your computer's security, Windows Security Center places a red shield icon in the notification area and displays an alert when you log on. Clicking the icon or alert opens Windows Security Center. There you'll find a message about the issue and a recommendation to resolve the issue. If you are using a firewall or antivirus software not detected by Windows Security Center, you can change the setting to stop receiving alerts for that component. Windows Security Center provides you with an easy way to help ensure your firewall is activated, your antivirus software is up to date, and that your computer is being updated with the latest critical updates from Microsoft. For more detailed information on Windows Security Center, see Manage Your Computer's Security Settings in One Place . Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker The Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker, a new feature with Service Pack 2, stops most unwanted pop-up windows from appearing. Available from the Internet Explorer Tools menu, it provides more control over the browsing experience, while giving you the choice to allow pop-ups from some Web sites yet block others. Turned on by default, the Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker will still allow pop-ups windows to appear in a few instances such as when:
With Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker enabled, if a Web site opens a pop-up window blocked by Internet Explorer, the Internet Explorer Information Bar notifies the user, and a sound plays.
Clicking the notice provides a number of choices:
You can add or remove sites from the Allow list, turn the notification sound on or off, and more. Note: If you are using any third party pop-up blockers, such as those included in Google Toolbar or Yahoo Toolbar, ITS recommends disabling one of the pop-up blockers to avoid any possible conflicts. You can disable the Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker by:
InstallationAutomatic Updates
Windows Update Obtain a Service Pack 2 CD
Only 1 CD will be distributed per person (Exception: More CDs can be distributed to a department's IT Specialist (the exact number of CDs taken needs to be provided on the license agreement). If you would prefer to have the CD mailed to you, contact the Site License office. More information about this can be found on the Site License SP2 CD Distribution page at: http://www.hawaii.edu/sitelic/winxpsp2.html IssuesBanner forms and Service Pack 2
 Solution provided by Charlotte Watanabe and the Banner Team.
Help in Adobe products may not work Applications that may require configuring with Service Pack 2 Programs may lose functionality in Service Pack 2 Getting HelpFor additional assistance, please phone the ITS Help Desk at: (808) 956-8883, send e-mail to help@hawaii.edu or send a fax to (808) 956-2108. The neighbor islands may call the ITS toll free phone number at (800) 558-2669. The ITS Help Desk home page is: http://www.hawaii.edu/help The walk-in ITS Help Desk offices are located in Keller 105 and Keller 213 on the UH Manoa Campus. The University of Hawaii is an equal opportunity / affirmative action institution.
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