I hope to upgrade to Windows XP SP2 soon and I’ve been looking at my hardware and software to determine what upgrades and updates I need before I take the plunge. (I say “take the plunge” because there’s a possibility that the system may go screwy post-SP2.)

I’ve started the upgrade process by updating ZoneAlarm to the latest (and hopefully greatest) version, 5.1.033.000. Windows XP SP2 does ship with a beefed-up firewall but I prefer ZoneAlarm’s flexibility. The new version is compatible with SP2 but pre-5.1 versions are on the SP2 incompatibility list so update if you haven’t.

Aside from the new engine and some minor user-interface changes, the new version of ZoneAlarm supplements anti-virus software by alerting users when the definitions are considered outdated. Grisoft’s AVG, my anti-virus software of choice, isn’t supported but I update the definitions regularly so the heads-up isn’t necessary.