Service Pack 2: Why you should install it
By Eddie L Hines

Well, if you are reading this, then service pack 2 has been released and automatically downloaded to your computer waiting for you to do so. But I bet you’re thinking “what if it messes up my computer?” I understand that will justify you hesitating to install SP2 and want to know what is so big about this update that I have to risk some of my programs not working right afterwards.

So I am going to tell you all the features and benefits of service pack 2, then you can decide for yourself if you are willing to install it, then I will show you how to check if its ready to install on your system.

INTERNET EXPLORER

Built in pop up blocker
With this feature, you no longer have to download a 3rd party pop up blocker. With its adjustable settings you can now control what pop ups are allowed and which you can dismiss.

Manage IE Add-ons
With this feature, you can manually remove any rogue toolbar or browser hijacker software from your internet explorer. These rampant files are the ones they hijack your start page and take you places you don’t want to go.

Disabling of automatic download installations
In the past, a lot of people got stricken with viruses because IE automatically downloaded and installed software for you, or annoying messages kept appearing when you wanted to download software and the best way you could dismiss the messages was to answer “yes” to the permission question. That allowed the spyware and viruses in your system. Now you will see a visual-friendly information bar at the top of the browser, informing you of pop-ups blocked and downloaded software permission messages. Here, you wont be disturbed into agreeing to install something you really don’t want, and it protects your system from auto-installations of dangerous software.

Better file waste management
This browser gives you more control over deleting cookies, temporary internet files, and which sites can be trusted to surf or not

WINDOWS FIREWALL

This is probably the biggest change you will notice in the software. Previous versions of windows installed with the built in firewall turned off, allowing for port worms to attack your system and render it useless. Now the firewall not only ships turned on by default, it now monitors computer programs to ask for permission to send data over the internet and masks your IP address from being detected outside your network.

You will now have the chance to “unblock” any internet program that asks to send data over the internet. Once you agree to the connection the first time, it will remember your decision and it won’t bother you again. You can also manually configure which ports and programs you want to have internet access, thus giving your more control on your internet security functions.

AUTOMATIC UPDATES

In previous versions of windows, any critical update was ignored due to the default settings in windows not allowing the pc to download these updates for you. This resulted in many people getting viruses like Blaster, Sasser, and other port worms attacking the security holes in an unprotected operating system. SP1 improved this somewhat by allowing you to download updates automatically at certain time of the day, but many people did not know when and how to install an update, not which files that were downloaded were safe to use. Enter AU 2.0, which now turns on by default, automatically downloaded critical updates at 3AM. It also clearly gives you instructions on how to install the updates using a very visible icon in the system tray of a yellow shield. Stepping you through the process, you can have your system kept up-to-date, with the peace of mind that the software will work on your system (or you can roll it back!”

WINDOWS SECURITY CENTER
This new control panel icon will monitor your antivirus updates, firewall, and auto updates settings all from one place. If any of those 3 are out of date or turned off you will get a big red shield in the system tray alerting you of this potential danger, and allowing you to fix the problem. This will make sure that your anti-virus definitions are up to date, your firewall in on and working, and you are able to download any critical updates from Microsoft.

Yes this is a lot to absorb, however I feel that your system will function more reliably and more secure with this update. If you are hesitant in updating your computer and would like an expert to install it for you and teach you how you can benefit from it. We are having a special service called “Service Pack Installation” which will cost only $100. With this service, a KCC technician will not only install the service pack for you, but also train you 1-on-1 of the new features and how they can benefit you. We hope you help us in keeping your pc safe by installing Service pack 2 today!