Software Evaluation:

Microsoft Windows XP: Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Microsoft came out with a new service pack for the Microsoft XP operating system. Service Pack 2 (SP2) is designed to provide more security options and tools to prevent against unwanted security threats such as viruses, worms, and “hackers.”  Microsoft gives users more flexibility and information about protecting their computers and specifically gives comprehensive information to users previously unaware of possible security threats on their own computer.  Upon download, users are given the option of changing the security settings at the Security Center.  SP2 comes with a firewall, internet security features including a pop-up blocker, a way to monitor your virus protection, access to Automatic Updates, wireless security, and other security patches to prevent malicious code from harming the computer.  This program is a free upgrade to download for licensed owners of the Microsoft XP operating system.

EVALUATION:

Layout:

The Service Pack 2 is free for Windows XP users to download and use.  The design and interface of the Security Center is easy to understand and navigate.  It is "user-friendly" in that even a fairly computer-illiterate person could figure out how to operate its functions.  The tabs and labels provide a description of what each process does and help links are everywhere.

The Security Center:

Settings:

SP2 does not let the user know what is going on behind the scenes of its processes.  The options are simple with basic "turn on" "turn off" settings.  Of course SP2 gives the user its recommendations of the settings that allows the program to run more efficiently.  

Here is an example of the format of the settings for Windows Automatic Updates.  SP2 recommends that users periodically scan for updates to their operating system, and offers to do this automatically to ensure the user's computer is up-to-date.

Automatic Update:

Firewall:

The firewall is meant to protect the computer from unwanted threats.  Again, the settings for the Firewall are very simple:  "on" or "off."

There is no way to examine the status of the Firewall or where the attacks are coming from in real-time, but is notified when the Firewall blocks a program.  However, the user can view a security log of all of the attempts at attacking the computer.  

1.  Go to Firewall

2.  Click the Advance Tab and click "settings" under Security Logging

3. Under Logging Options check the boxes labeled "Log dropped packets" and/or "Log successful connections."

4.  Go to Security Log

The resources from Help indicate that there should be an option to "browse" on the above screen to view the Security Log, however, I could not find this option and went to the location manually.

Security Log:

Monitoring Virus Protection Software:

Along with the Firewall , SP2 offers network protection by monitoring existing virus protection software on the computer to keep vicious programs from running.  In the Security Center, SP2 will monitor the status of the virus protection software for the user.  However, prior versions of Symantec AntiVirus are not compatible with SP2 and it is recommended that the user upgrades to Symantec version 9.x.  

As you can see below, I am running an older version of Symantec, which the Security Center does not recognize:

Internet Security:

Service Pack 2 also offers a variety of internet-related security measure to protect Windows XP users from unwanted cookies and spyware from harming the machine.

This is a picture of the Windows pop-up blocker, which also blocks programs from downloading automatically.  It lets you know when it blocks a pop-up window with a message located right below the toolbar.  Clicking on this message allows you to choose to view the window or download the program.  The pop-up blocker only works in Internet Explorer and blocks all pop-up windows, wanted and unwanted.

RECOMMENDATION:

Because of the ease of use and self-explanatory layout, I would recommend Service Pack 2 to those with a limited amount computer security knowledge that use Windows XP as their operating system.  The program can easily manage the user's security-related issues with little input or time from the user.  It is ideal for those that are not very technically-savvy, and/or do not have internet security as their top concern.  For these types of computer users, SP2 can be a great relief to managing potential outside threats to their computer.  For others, the lack of options and abilities to fine tune could be frustrating.