SP2 presents XP security dilemma

Users will have to balance their IT security requirements with potential Java and .net performance problems if they are to take advantage of the features being introduced in Windows XP Service Pack 2. XP SP2, which is due out in the first half of 2004, will be an important step in Microsoft's strategy to provide a secure IT environment. But the highest level of security offered through SP2 will require the use of "no execution" (NX) technology, which is currently only available on machines equipped with AMD's Athlon an Opteron 64-bit chips.

NX uses a feature of the processor to prevent a buffer overflow exploit, by stopping a hacker from running a Trojan horse program. Microsoft said NX should prevent worms such as MS Blaster from replicating.

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