Windows XP advices

hii thr yall,
I have upgraded to windows XP pro today from win98 se ofcourse after full and clean format. I want to know and get some advices from here.

1. what are the ready-to-go existences in XP that needs to be blocked as I get on internet?

2. what are the common and if there is any security threat that I need to get out of my system?

thx

 

I've coverd a few basic

- remove the guest account
- change the admin account name
- change the security policies
- change password complexity
- activate account checksum
- verify kernel sub system

1 - Deactivate the netbios over tcp/ip by default
2 - visit windowsupdate.microsoft.com
3 - visit www.grc.com - DCOMbulator etc... Steve Gibson 3 Musketeer
4 - xp-antispy

 

oh and forgot.... KILL INTERNET EXPLORER

 

Probably a good idea to go into Administrative Tools and kill off some of the services. Particularly the messaging service (not to be confused with Win Messenger), as has been mentioned in other threads -- if you're not on an LAN, stop that service and disable it.

 

Thx Mike and Flux and yet-to-be coming advicers,
I am going through and getting the advices done

thx again(Mike I am on LAN,Flux I am using Opera)

 

Need infos on winxp.... just send me a message

 

Have a look at this site:-
http://www.theeldergeek.com/