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In the world of computers, new security threats appear all the time, and improvements to operating systems occur to brainy people ensconced in software company offices. As a result, sometime in the second half of 2004 Microsoft issued Service Pack 2. SP2 (as it's affectionately known) is installed as an interim update to Windows XP; that means it's not really a new version of the operating system, but it does add features and functionality, mainly in the area of computer security.
A word of advice: SP2 can take a while to download from Microsoft's Web site (like a few hours), so you might want to order it on CD. When you run the install program, it's pretty seamless — after it starts loading files, all you have to do is go away for a few hours. When you come back and reboot your computer, the SP2 features are in place.
When you boot up, you see a message about turning on Automatic Updates, which is a good thing to do to update security features from Microsoft going forward. Then, occasionally, new windows appear. For example, Security Center appears asking you to review some new security settings, or the Information Bar in Internet Explorer keeps you informed about Internet events (such as attempted downloads) that could pose security threats.
Here, then, are some key features of SP2.
Set up Pop-Up Blocker
1. With Internet Explorer open, choose Tools --> Pop-Up Blocker --> Pop-Up Blocker Settings.
2. In the Pop-Up Blocker Settings dialog box, enter a URL in the Address of Web Site to Allow text box. You can also do the following:
• Deselect the Play a Sound When a Pop-Up Is Blocked check box, so that the sound doesn't play every time a pop-up is blocked.
• Deselect the Show Information Bar When a Pop-up is Blocked check box, so the Information Bar doesn't appear when a pop-up is blocked.
• Select another level from the Filter Level drop-down list. You can block all pop-ups.
3. Click Add.
4. Click the Close button to close the dialog box.
 | Blocking all pop-up windows might not be your best choice. Why? Although pop-up windows are often used for advertising products that you don't want or even find embarrassing, some pop-ups are good. For example, if you click a link that opens a photograph in a larger version, it could be set up to use a pop-up window. Or, if you click to see a price list, it might also be meant to appear in a pop-up. My advice is to stick to the medium pop-up-filter level of blocking. |
 | If you got a notification through the Information Bar that a pop-up has been blocked, you can choose to see what you're missing. Click the Information Bar when it appears, and choose Show Blocked Pop-Up from the shortcut menu. From the information that's displayed, you can then decide if you want to block that content or not. |
If you've made settings to block all pop-ups and still see one now and then, check in the IE Internet Options dialog box (choose Tools --> Internet Options) on the Privacy tab. Any sites that you've specified in the Trusted Sites category here are allowed to display pop-ups.
Stop the Information Bar from blocking file and software downloads
1. With Internet Explorer open, choose Tools --> Internet Options, and click the Security tab.
2. On the Security Tab, click the Custom Level button.
3. In the Security Settings dialog box, you can change one of two options:
• In the Downloads section, select the Enable radio button for Automatic Prompting for File Downloads.
• In the Active X Controls and Plug-Ins section, select the Enable radio button for the Automatic Prompting for Active X Controls.
4. Click OK in the Security Settings dialog box, and then click OK in the Internet Options dialog box to close both dialog boxes and save the new settings.
What might the Information Bar do when it's enabled? It might stop a site from installing an ActiveX control on your computer, or block downloading of files to your computer (without your permission) that might be used to track your online activities. By blocking ActiveX controls, some Web pages might not display properly. The Information Bar settings might also stop you from viewing content because the site's content and its security information don't match. This is all meant to protect you, but in practice, you might find some of this blocking interfering with you doing what you need to online. Microsoft urges you to leave all settings in place, but you might have to play around with them to get things right for the way you work on the Web.
 | You might search high and low for the Information Bar, but you can't display it. It turns on only when a Web site that you visit tries to install an ActiveX control on your computer, open a pop-up window, download a file (one you haven't asked to have downloaded), or run ActiveX controls or content on your computer. |
Disable or update add-ons
1. Choose Tools --> Manage Add-Ons.
2. In the Manage Add-Ons dialog box, click an add-on listed there.
3. To disable the add-on, click the Disable radio button in the Settings area.
4. If the add-on isn't the most current version, the Update button in the Update section is available. Click it and you might see a few different things, including:
• A dialog box asking whether you trust the security on the site that IE has to visit to update the add-on. (Click Yes or No.)
• A message indicating the add-on is updating.
• A message indicating that no update to the add-on is available.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Add-ons add some function to your Web browser; for example, a search engine toolbar or stock ticker. You might be happy to have some add-ons, but not all. Or you might want to periodically update an add-on.
Where did all these add-ons come from, you ask? In some cases, you have specifically given permission to a Web site to install an add-on. Other add-ons appear because you gave permission for a site to download any add-ons it likes to your computer. Sometimes add-ons are included with other programs you download, all unbeknownst to you. And finally, Windows XP itself installs some add-ons on your computer when you update Windows or browse the Web.
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