Updated: Aug. 6, 2004
Microsoft Corp. developed Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies in close collaboration with other industry leaders, including software vendors, chip makers and PC manufacturers. The following quotes and information are from some of the companies that have worked with Microsoft to ensure a great SP2 experience for their mutual customers.
Agnitum
“Microsoft and Agnitum share the same goals as we strive to protect users from Internet dangers. With Outpost Firewall Pro, users get even more security features designed to withhold their surfing habits and other private information from prying eyes. Together, Windows XP SP2 and Outpost Firewall Pro are a powerful and practical instrument for controlling Internet activity. The Microsoft platform and Agnitum’s firewall combine to provide users with a simple configuration system and strong security.”
– Mikhail Zakhryapin
Managing Director
Agnitum Ltd.
Agnitum’s Outpost Firewall Pro operates seamlessly with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies. Working together, Outpost Firewall Pro and SP2 offer updated support and security features for Windows XP customers that improve the security and privacy of their Web connections. The User Interface Update feature in Outpost Firewall Pro adds the Outpost icon to SP2’s new Windows Security Center feature. Outpost Firewall Pro also implements additional features for Internet Explorer content filtering with SP2 and helps users control and reduce unwanted ads and content. This cooperation with Microsoft will benefit users, and Outpost Firewall Pro recommends that its customers install Windows XP Service Pack 2.
AOL
“Security is a top priority for the entire PC industry, and both AOL and Microsoft are working hard to help our customers have the safest computing experience possible. We’ve worked closely with Microsoft to test Windows XP Service Pack 2 for AOL users, and based on excellent test results, we recommend that our members deploy it to help supplement AOL’s protections against hackers, viruses and other common online threats.”
– Sree Kotay
Senior Vice President for Client Products
America Online Inc.
Best Buy
“Best Buy and Geek Squad are continually recommending to our customers that they keep their security software updated, so we support Microsoft’s innovation in delivering Windows XP Service Pack 2. In an effort to make it easier for our customers to stay more secure, people will be able to come into any Geek Squad precinct, located in all Best Buy stores, and have a Geek Squad agent install Windows XP Service Pack 2 on PCs.”
– David Morrish
Senior Vice President of Computing
Best Buy Co. Inc.
Best Buy Stores, owned and operated by Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co. Inc., is the nation’s leading specialty retailer of technology and entertainment products and services. Best Buy was founded in St. Paul, Minn., in 1966. Best Buy Stores reach an estimated 300 million consumers per year through more than 600 retail stores in 48 states and online at BestBuy.com.
Borland Software
“For our customers with mission-critical applications, security is a top concern. By working with Microsoft to support Windows XP SP2, Borland helps organizations establish not only a reliable and high-performance deployment platform, but also a more secure and productive computing environment for their users.”
– Boz Elloy
Senior Vice President of Software Products
Borland Software Corp.
“Our customers, particularly those in the financial services, telecommunications and government sectors, rely on us to establish the most reliable, high-performance and secure deployment environment for their mission-critical applications. To help ensure their success, Borland is delivering powerful software infrastructure and management solutions that will support Windows XP SP2, including Borland Enterprise Server 6.5 and Borland Deployment Op-Center 6.5. Together these products are designed to eliminate downtime, streamline IT operations and accelerate business performance. With support for Windows XP SP2, these Borland deployment solutions allow organizations to take advantage of enhanced features and functionality to create a more secure and productive computing experience for users.”
– Thanh Tran
Vice President and General Manager
Borland Software
CompUSA
“CompUSA supports Microsoft’s efforts to provide customers with safer and better Internet experiences. Our CompUSA technical service centers are giving customers free installation on Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies so their computers will have enhanced protection against hackers, viruses and other common online threats.”
– Tony Weiss
President and COO
CompUSA Inc.
CompUSA, one of the nation’s leading retailers and resellers of technology products and services, currently operates 227 CompUSA Superstores in over 90 major metropolitan markets across the United States and Puerto Rico. With Microsoft, CompUSA is helping its customers get Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies. CompUSA technical support centers are available to help Windows XP customers install Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies on their computers. CompUSA is offering this complimentary service to help make sure customers get Service Pack 2’s enhanced protection against hackers, viruses and other common online threats.
Computer Associates
“As the world’s leading provider of security management solutions, Computer Associates is working closely with Microsoft to ensure that its customers reap the full benefits of the Windows XP SP2 release, including the Windows Security Center and the Windows Firewall security features. Both our enterprise eTrust Antivirus and our consumer eTrust EZ Antivirus solutions interoperate with Windows native security functions to ensure that users’ desktops have complete, up-to-date virus signatures and that their security mechanisms are appropriately configured to provide maximum protection against both malware and network-based threats.”
– Toby Weiss
Senior Vice President, eTrust Security Management Solutions
Computer Associates International Inc.
Computer Associates’s enterprise eTrust Antivirus and consumer eTrust EZ Antivirus products integrate with Windows XP SP2 enhancements by enabling the following:
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Automated security enforcement. Windows XP SP2 maintains current versioning and operational status of eTrust Antivirus and eTrust EZ Antivirus solutions.
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Network protection. Windows XP SP2 offers additional security policies with the Windows Firewall. eTrust Antivirus and eTrust EZ Antivirus provide a free configuration utility to enable communication with the updated Windows Firewall security settings.
eTrust Antivirus and eTrust EZ Antivirus fully integrate with Windows XP SP2 Windows Security Center to notify users whether they are up to date with the latest virus signatures. In the event that older virus signatures are in use, Windows Security Center can assist in downloading the signature updates or ensure that eTrust Antivirus or eTrust EZ Antivirus is operational on the system.
Dell
“One of the best ways for consumers to proactively protect themselves from viruses, worms and hackers is to keep their operating system up to date and turn on Automatic Updates. Windows XP Service Pack 2 with advanced security technologies is an added layer of protection our customers are looking for and is designed to provide them with safer browsing, control over unwanted downloads and pop-ups, easier management of their tools and settings, and enhanced security when surfing wirelessly.”
– Ricky Rodrigue
Director, Customer Assistance and Resolution Team
Dell Inc.
FRISK Software International
“Version 3.15 of F-Prot Antivirus for Windows takes advantage of the Windows Security Center in Windows XP SP2 to help keep users up to date. The new F-Prot Antivirus Update Monitor communicates with Windows Security Center, informing it of the program’s update status. This makes it easier for users to manage the security of their systems and to monitor the status of their virus signature files, along with other security updates. In addition, this newest version of F-Prot
Antivirus for Windows includes a new virus signature file status message that is displayed conspicuously on the program’s startup.”
– Fridrik Skulason
Founder and CTO
FRISK Software International
F-Secure
“F-Secure is very pleased about the strong commitment to added security Microsoft is showing, exemplified through the introduction of the Windows XP Service Pack 2. The Windows platform forms the backbone of security for a computer system, and coupled with the award-winning anti-virus solutions and the proven capability for fast response to emerging new threats that F-Secure can provide, we are anticipating a very secure computing experience for customers choosing to use this combination. With the improved safety of the Windows platform computer users can now focus on selecting the anti-virus and intrusion prevention solutions that give them the fastest response to new virus threats while keeping costs at bay through ease of use and central administration of security solutions – benefits that F-Secure offers its customers. We have a strong anti-virus research lab, and independent statistics show that F-Secure has consistently been faster in responding to new viruses compared to our major competitors. Numerous awards and wins in comparison tests also show we can indeed offer a quality solution to our customers.”
– Kimmo Alkio
Chief Operating Officer
F-Secure Corp.
Microsoft has been working together with F-Secure to improve security on many fronts. Cooperation between the companies has included the Protect Your PC program, the Virus Information Alliance, and work ensuring F-Secure’s solutions are compatible with the Microsoft Security Center and Windows XP Service Pack 2. F-Secure has released Windows XP SP2 support packs for its main anti-virus and intrusion prevention products to provide official Windows XP SP2 support. F-Secure support packs for Windows XP SP2 will also provide support for the new Security Center feature introduced in Service Pack 2.
Grisoft
“We are pleased to announce that AVG Anti-Virus supports the new Windows XP Service Pack 2. With the development of native support for SP2, AVG Anti-Virus continues to be one of the leaders in anti-virus security for businesses and consumers. Windows XP SP2’s new security features together with AVG will increase the level of protection of our customers and improve their user experience.”
– Radovan Musil
CEO
Grisoft Inc.
“One of the Windows XP SP2 features that I really like is the new Security Center. It provides a quick and easy overview of the operating system’s ‘security shields,’ including the firewall and anti-virus program. Reliable anti-virus protection requires more than just installing the product itself. It is necessary to keep it up to date and active at all times. Much too often a customer calls our technical support only to find out that his AVG Anti-Virus was not updated regularly or that she switched the resident shield protection off. Now that AVG fully integrates with the Security Center, the user is notified whenever such a situation occurs. AVG system status is reported to the Security Center using the WMI, which ensures maximum reliability and even reusability of this information in other third-party applications. This integration is already part of AVG since the early Windows XP SP2 beta tests. Support of SP2 was deployed to AVG users during one of our regular program updates so that all AVG users can now benefit from the new features automatically.”
– Karel Obluk
Lead Developer
Grisoft
IBM
“IBM is glad to see Microsoft take new steps to improve the security of Windows. This complements new IBM ThinkVantage Technologies and aligns well with the advanced security features of IBM ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktop PCs. IBM has been shipping the Embedded Security Subsystem on PCs since 1999, and we’re pleased to see increased focus on this issue.”
– Deepak Advani
Vice President of Marketing, Personal Computing Division
IBM Corp.
Kaspersky Labs
“Kaspersky Labs provides complete protection against viruses, hackers and spam. The release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 clearly demonstrates that Microsoft is treating security as a core priority. Malware has reached epidemic proportions today: Only focused and coordinated efforts will help the world computing community to oppose the computer underground effectively.”
– Natalya Kaspersky
CEO
Kaspersky Labs
Kaspersky Labs works closely with Microsoft in developing cutting-edge information security solutions for Windows. Currently, Kaspersky Labs is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner in Security Solutions. The latest version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus successfully passed Microsoft certification and is officially designated as Designed for Windows XP. Kaspersky Labs’ user-friendly products are developed to integrate seamlessly with Windows products and match them in effectiveness and ease of use.
Look ‘n’ Stop
“Look ‘n’ Stop Personal Firewall customers come to us for a very light and easy software that offers the most up-to-date security features. By having a strategic relationship with Microsoft, we feel confident Look ‘n’ Stop Personal Firewall will provide users of Windows XP SP2 with enhanced security and significant value.”
– F. Gloannec
Chief Software Architect
Look ‘n’ Stop
Look ‘n’ Stop Personal Firewall helps block intrusion threats and makes the end user’s PC invisible to anyone on the Internet. It also is designed to block spyware and keystroke loggers that might steal private data and send it to hackers. Look ‘n’ Stop Personal Firewall’s fast setup enables quick out-of-the-box protection. It is light and highly optimized software that does not slow the PC or the Internet connection. Look ‘n’ Stop Personal Firewall provides an open plug-in interface to third parties. It is available in 10 languages.
McAfee
“Customers from around the globe come to McAfee for high-quality security solutions that offer market-leading intrusion prevention functionality. By coordinating with Microsoft, we feel confident that the entire McAfee solution set will provide users of Windows XP SP2 with the enhanced functionality and significant value that they have come to expect from our two companies.”
– Bill Kerrigan
Senior Vice President
McAfee Inc.
McAfee VirusScan offers feature-rich protection against virus outbreaks. McAfee Personal Firewall Plus offers home users a comprehensive, easy-to-use defense for increased protection from both inbound and outbound threats. McAfee SpamKiller Home Edition protects users from unsolicited commercial e-mail (spam). McAfee Privacy Service provides users with an extensive set of privacy, security and parental control protections. McAfee Internet Security Suite (MIS) is the comprehensive set of McAfee’s award-winning security and privacy solutions for home users and small businesses. MIS includes the latest versions of VirusScan, Personal Firewall Plus, Privacy Service and SpamKiller. All these McAfee products support Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Norman Data Defense Systems
“We are pleased to be one of the first suppliers to be an integral part of Microsoft’s newest security initiative. To have one shared interface for security overview and update status will clearly improve the battle against hackers, viruses and other security threats. To have Norman Virus Control support Windows XP Service Pack 2 will improve the user’s ability to manage security. The user will be constantly updated on the status of the antivirus program. This is vital information to the user, and the result is more secure and effective computing.”
– Steinar Wigtil
Director of R & D
Norman Data Defense Systems
Panda Software
“By coordinating with Microsoft, we feel confident that of all our anti-malware products will provide users of Windows XP SP2 with enhanced functionality and significant value. All products from Panda Software – including the new TruPrevent Technologies – work seamlessly with Windows XP SP2 to provide customers with updated support and features that enhance their experience in security against all kinds of malware.”
– Pedro Bustamante
Chief Marketing Officer
Panda Software SL
Panda Software, a world leader in virus and intrusion prevention, offers unrivalled proactive security solutions for all types of users, from the largest corporations through small and medium-sized companies to home users. Its corporate products offer hassle-free automatic and centralized administration and provide networkwide protection, via multilayer security technology, to ensure uniform protection across the enterprise, from remote users and workstations to mail gateways and internal and perimeter servers. Panda Software’s solutions have received awards and quality certifications from the sector’s most widely respected organizations, including ICSA Labs and Checkmark, and its commitment to customer service, innovative products, and the pioneering concept of 24-hour/365-day tech support have revolutionized the IT security industry.
Sun Microsystems
“To ensure they have the latest updates and innovations, we encourage Windows XP customers to get Windows XP Service Pack 2 and download Java technology from Java.com. The professional, constructive relationship we’ve developed with Microsoft has already benefited our joint customers by ensuring compatibility between these two technologies.”
– Jeff Jackson
Vice President of Java Developer Platform and Strategy
Sun Microsystems Inc.
Symantec
“Now more than ever, users need to be more hands-on in safeguarding their computers. Symantec supports Microsoft’s efforts to raise security awareness among Windows users worldwide with the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2. Symantec’s industry-leading integrated security solutions are compatible with this update to Windows XP and address the full range of information security needs for consumer and enterprise users alike, allowing customers to benefit from Symantec’s proactive, multitiered security protection to help defend against today’s blended security threats as well as the unknown threats of tomorrow.”
– Stephen Cullen
Senior Vice President, Security Products and Solutions
Symantec Corp.
Norton Internet Security, Norton AntiVirus, Norton Personal Firewall, Norton AntiSpam, Norton SystemWorks, Norton GoBack, Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise Edition, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition, Symantec AntiVirus Small Business Edition, Symantec Client Security, Symantec Client Security Small Business Edition, Norton PartitionMagic, Norton Ghost, Symantec Drive Image, Symantec V2i Protector, Symantec pcAnywhere, Symantec Ghost Corporate Edition, Symantec DeployCenter Library, Symantec ON iCommand, Symantec ON iPatch, Symantec ON Command Discovery, Symantec Client Migration
Symantec Corporations award-winning Norton line of consumer products and industry-leading enterprise antivirus, client security, and enterprise administration solutions provide Microsoft Windows XP users with the highest-quality security solutions and resources available to protect against Internet security threats such as viruses, worms, hackers, spam and privacy threats, and to ensure continuous information availability. In addition, Symantecs systems management solutions offer enterprise customers fast and reliable methods of rolling out Service Pack 2. Symantec worked closely with Microsoft to ensure that customers can easily move to Service Pack 2 with confidence.
Tiny Software
“The combination of Tiny Firewall 6.0 and Windows XP Service Pack 2 represents rock-solid security. Tiny Firewall 6.0 adds the advanced protection for system resources and real-time activity monitoring, and it helps protect the computer from all sorts of unknown worms and trojans out there. In the corporate environment Tiny Firewall 6.0 integrates with Active Directory to provide central management of policies and central reporting, and offers real-time host-based intrusion detection and prevention. It’s a great match for SP2.”
– Roman Kasan
President and CEO
Tiny Software Inc.
Trend Micro
“Integrating the detection and management of our anti-virus security software into the operating system management console allows for more proactive protection for consumers. Microsoft’s efforts to work closely with leading security providers like us will ultimately help consumers reduce the burden on them to stay protected. We share the goal of minimizing the potential damage and frequency of computing vulnerabilities to our common customers.”
– Eva Chen
CTO
Trend Micro Inc.
Service Pack 2 for Windows XP-compatible solutions from Trend Micro will enhance security management by easily enabling users to monitor, and thus help in maintaining, the latest software, scan engine and virus pattern file versions needed to be at the forefront of protection against network viruses, worms and other Internet-borne threats. Solutions from Trend Micro are designed to integrate with the Windows Security Center feature in Service Pack 2 for Windows XP to display information about products on a centralized console for the Windows XP platform; keeping product information in one accessible location helps consolidate and simplify security related products for desktop users. In addition, Trend Micro products will support the enhanced Windows firewall components to help ensure the continuity of operating system features.
Trend Micro OfficeScan Corporate Edition is a client/server security solution that integrates the core capabilities of multiple security technologies. Its Web-based management console gives administrators transparent access to desktop and mobile clients to coordinate automatic deployment of security policies and software updates. OfficeScan helps enforce security policies and mitigates the daily threat of file-based and network viruses, intruders, spyware, and other threats.
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security provides comprehensive and easy-to-use protection from viruses, hackers and other Internet-based threats. Its new advanced features go far beyond standard anti-virus and firewall protection, helping to safeguard PCs from new emerging threats such as network viruses, spam e-mail, inappropriate Web content and spyware programs that can compromise user privacy.
Zone Labs
“Zone Labs incorporates interoperability, compatibility and cooperation with Microsoft Windows XP SP2 security features, including the Microsoft Windows Security Center and Microsoft Windows Firewall, into the company’s ZoneAlarm family of consumer and integrity enterprise endpoint security products. Zone Labs provides powerful yet easy-to-use security tools to help guard against unapproved communications attempts with the PC. Enterprises, small offices and consumers use Zone Labs solutions to protect privacy, safeguard data and provide a defense against Internet-borne threats, including identity theft and phisher fraud.”
– Frederick Felman
Vice President of Marketing
Zone Labs Inc.
Zone Labs, a Check Point company, incorporates interoperability, compatibility and cooperation with Microsoft Windows XP SP2 security features, including the Microsoft Windows Security Center and Microsoft Windows Firewall, into the company’s ZoneAlarm family of consumer and Zone Labs Integrity enterprise endpoint security products. Zone Labs provides powerful yet easy-to-use security tools to help guard against unapproved communications attempts – both inbound and outbound – with the PC. Enterprises, small offices and consumers use Zone Labs solutions to protect privacy, safeguard data and provide a defense against Internet-borne threats, including identity theft and phisher fraud.
