• RSS
  • Twitter
  • FaceBook

Security Forums

Log in

FAQ | Search | Usergroups | Profile | Register | RSS | Posting Guidelines | Recent Posts

[Tutorial] Explaining the Windows XP Security Center

Users browsing this topic:0 Security Fans, 0 Stealth Security Fans
Registered Security Fans: None
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly version    Networking/Security Forums Index -> Beginners // Misc. Computer Questions

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Tom Bair
SF Boss
SF Boss


Joined: 10 Aug 2002
Posts: 16776955
Location: Portland, Oregon USA

Offline

PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:05 pm    Post subject: [Tutorial] Explaining the Windows XP Security Center Reply with quote

What is Security Center

The Security Center provides easy access to features such as Windows Update, anti-virus, and firewall settings. This feature is only available if Service Pack 2 has been installed.

It does not actually provide any additional security, yet acts as a control center for your existing security software. Almost reminds you of MMC (Microsoft Management Console) in a way. It will let you know what's on or off, what needs updating or replacing, and it will annoy you with those famous warnings popping up from the Windows System Tray.

What it shows

Security Center will display the status of three items:

Firewall
Automatic Updates
Virus Protection

It displays if these three items are on, or off. By clicking on one of these item's bar, you can get a further explaination and a 'help link'. Note that if you are using a third party firewall, you will want to make sure it is SP2-complaint. You will also want to turn off XP's own simple firewall.

What it controls

You are also able to change settings for the following three items:

Internet Options
Automatic Updates
Windows Firewall

If you click on the Internet Options button, you are taken to Internet Explorer's Security tab. Sad to say, Microsoft did not include any support for third party browsers such as Firefox.

Automatic Updates is turned on by default. Here you can change how you receive those updates and when they are installed, or even turn the feature off.

Windows Firewall button allows you to configure XP's built-in firewall. It is not recommended that you put your full faith into this simple firewall. You should install a full fledged firewall right away. Then click on this button to turn off the built-in firewall or your system may experience conflicts between the two.

What it lacks

I've already mentioned the lack of support for third-party browser security settings. What is really missing is any type of support for anti-spyware software.

It would be a dream come true if Microsoft updated the Security Center to include support for Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Just including support for these two programs alone would double the value of the Security Center.

Tom Bair
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
cantthinkofanickname
Just Arrived
Just Arrived


Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 1


Offline

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you tink things have improved with Vista or Win7?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   

Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly version    Networking/Security Forums Index -> Beginners // Misc. Computer Questions All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1


 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Community Area

Log in | Register