Microsoft has just released a document describing the changes they will be making in service pack 2 to make Windows XP more secure. Many of the interesting changes are in Internet Explorer. The attached links provide the details. Richard M. Smith http://www.ComputerBytesMan.com ==================================================== Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7bd948d7-b791-40b6- 8364-685b84158c78&displaylang=en (http://tinyurl.com/z0rv) In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft is introducing a set of security technologies that will help to improve the ability of Windows XP-based computers to withstand malicious attacks from viruses and worms. The technologies include network protection, memory protection, safer e-mail handling, more secure browsing, and improved computer maintenance. Together, these security technologies will help to make it more difficult to attack Windows XP, even if the latest updates are not applied. These security technologies together are particularly useful in mitigation against worms and viruses. This document specifically focuses on the changes between earlier versions of Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 2 and reflects Microsoft's early thinking about Service Pack 2 and its implications for developers. Examples and details are provided for several of the technologies that are experiencing the biggest changes. Future versions of this document will cover all new and changed technologies. http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/7/9/879a7b46-5ddb-4a82-b64d-64e791b 3c9ae/WinXPSP2_Documentation.doc (http://tinyurl.com/z2zv) . Safer e-mail handling. Security technologies help to stop viruses (such as SoBig.F) that spread through e-mail and instant messaging. These technologies include default settings that are more secure, improved attachment control for Outlook Express and Windows Messenger, and increased Outlook Express security and reliability. As a result, potentially unsafe attachments that are sent through e-mail and instant messages are isolated so that they cannot affect other parts of the system. . More secure browsing. Security technologies that are delivered in Microsoft Internet Explorer provide improved protection against malicious content on the Web. One enhancement includes locking down the Local Machine zone to prevent against the running of malicious scripts and fortifying against harmful Web downloads. Additionally, better user controls and user interfaces are provided that help prevent malicious ActiveXR controls and spyware from running on customers' systems without their knowledge and consent.
