After much delay, Microsoft has finally released the long awaited Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP. The service pack contains several security enhancements that will protect church computers systems from the growing amount of viruses and hackers.
The service pack, currently available for IT professionals, includes all security updates issued since the first service pack and is loaded with new security features. Microsoft says that it is a significant step in a strategy to make the system more secure against hackers and viruses before faults are found.
This free service pack "is a significant step in delivering on our goal to help customers make their PCs better isolated and more resilient in the face of increasingly sophisticated attacks," Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said in a statement.
"It is the result of sustained investments in innovation and extensive industry collaboration. It also reflects a broad recognition that as the security environment changes, the industry needs to work together to respond.
Microsoft plans to issue SP2 in 25 languages over the next two months which will be distributed to computer manufacturers, enterprise customers and consumers through downloads, retail installation, free CD’s and on new PCs.
Church administrators are urged to go to http://www.microsoft.com/protect/ to turn on Automatic Updates to ensure they will receive Service Pack 2 as it becomes available.
