Windows XP SP3: NAP Among Security Goodies
The biggest security feature in this service pack is the inclusion of NAP (Network Access Protection) to help organizations that use Windows XP to take advantage Using NAP, businesses running Windows XP SP3 users can create policies to validate computer health before allowing access or communication, and automatically update computers or quarantine noncompliant computers restricted networks. Additional security tidbits in Windows XP include: WPA2: This provides support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, the latest standards-based wireless security solution derived from the IEEE 802.11i standard. "Black Hole" router detection: Windows XP SP3 includes improvements to black hole router detection (detecting routers that are silently discarding packets), turning it on by default. Descriptive security options UI: The Security Options control panel in Windows XP SP3 now has more descriptive text to explain settings and prevent incorrect settings configuration. Enhanced security for Administrator and Service policy entries: Microsoft's isn't back-porting any Windows Vista security features to Windows XP. In fact, Windows XP SP3 does not include the Internet Explorer 7 browser. See Techmeme discussion.
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Microsoft's Windows XP SP3 (Service Pack 3) 
Comments (5)
Hmm...
Well, I'd say people with XP should read some reviews before they actually try this themselves (unless it's an experimental box).
But yeah, it's almost too easy to fall into the trap of immediately upgrading to a new service pack. Personally, I'm going to wait a bit. But others may not, and it's obvious that I don't have control over them.
Service Packs are usually hit and miss, with SP2 it MAY have been a miss (to many) but let's hope that SP3 really does help the aging OS.
Bill may be cringing at the concept of leaving his co-founded company (though his sweet spot may be helping with the Gates foundation), but the world is becoming further prepared for more of these service packs, even on Vista.
Tom Anderson
Posted by Tom Anderson | April 21, 2008 9:57 PM
I agree with Mr. Anderson and will wait to install this update. I do not believe for a second that it will in any way improve on an already fairly stable platform. It seems that SP3 is more suitable for larger networks and definitely NOT the already update-weary millions of single users. It is my hope that Microsoft will continue to ship XP/SP2 for quite some time yet because, quite frankly, in my opinion, Vista is the new Windows Millenium. It's a dog and has not lived up to all the hype. Nor will it.
Posted by Terry Pittsford | April 21, 2008 10:59 PM
Only an incompetent person would say that Vista is a new ME
Posted by ten | April 22, 2008 4:41 AM
What Terry means by his ME comment is not about FUNCTIONALITY (since WIN 95) and the glass itself, he means that Vista is a bust in the same way as ME was in 1999 in that Vista does nothing to move the kernel of the OS forward other than consumer oriented pretty stuff. And I agree, people stuck to WIN 98 until WIN 2000 PRO/XP came out. Watch, Vista will not be a huge corporate win until the next generation after Vista now REALLY proves itself.
Posted by Dr. S. S. "Chat" Chatterjee | April 22, 2008 10:31 AM
They need extra time to make sure SP3 fouls XP without being detected, so that they can force you to buy Vista. Come on Microsoft, we're not stupid. Anyone who would apply SP3 to XP is insane.
Oh yeah, and Vista is the new ME.
Posted by Geminate | April 22, 2008 4:31 PM