The Windows XP Security Center is not a well-known feature of the operating system. The security center was introduced as part of the Service Pack 2 release. Some people like it and some people dont like it at all. If you dont have the service pack 2 already installed, you need to do that now by updating your Windows XP. You can do this using the update feature of XP or simply go to the Microsoft website and search for SP2.

To access the Security Center, you go to the Start button, All Programs, Accessories, then System Tools. Click on the Security Center and it will bring up a window with the current system status. To view the Virus Protection recommendations, click the Recommendations button under this option. You will see the recommendations based on your current system.

You can get information on how antivirus programs work as well as information on different types of viruses by clicking on How Does Antivirus Software Protect My System help topic link in the Windows Security Center.

How to Disable Security Center Alerts

If you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Windows Security Center will tell you the status of your antivirus software, firewall, and automatic updates. The Security Center will alert you if your antivirus is out of date or turned off, firewall is turned off, or if Automatic Update is not turned on.

If you have received multiple alerts and would like to turn notifications off, you can disable the antivirus, firewall, or automatic update alerts.

Turning off these alerts could be dangerous because you wont know if your system is vulnerable. But if you are an experienced user, then you most likely have a strategy and tactic for checking your system.

To turn off Security Center alerts

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Security Center.

3. In the Security Center, under Resources, click Change the way Security Center alerts me.

4. In the Alert Settings dialog box, clear the Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection check boxes, and then click OK.

The Windows XP Security Center can be a real advantage to some users and keep your system protected, but for others in gets in the way. You make the call.

Here is a link to the Microsoft site if you need more information-- http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx