If you"ve been longing for a more secure version of Windows, Windows XP Service Pack 2, due midyear, should fit the bill. A response to the electronic attacks that crippled Windows PCs worldwide last year, Windows XP SP2 is a crucial upgrade centered on what Microsoft Corp. calls security technologies.
I tested a beta of XP SP2 and came away impressed: With a simple installation (I experienced none of the compatibility hassles that some users encountered with SP1), much-needed security enhancements, and a friendlier front end to wireless networking, XP SP2 is shaping up as a must-have upgrade for all Windows XP users. SP2 will be free, but Microsoft hasn"t yet said how it will distribute the pack.