Before you go onto the Internet,
disable file sharing. It's one thing to share your sales
presentation with others in your office. It's another to share it
with the entire Web community.
In Windows XP Professional, file sharing is turned on by default.
To disable it, click Start > My Computer. Click Tools > Folder
Options. Click the View tab. Under Advanced Settings, scroll to
the bottom and uncheck the box next to Use simple file sharing
(recommended). Click Apply > OK.
If your new computer came with Windows XP Service Pack 2
installed, click Start > Control Panel. Click Security Center >
Windows Firewall. Click the Exceptions tab. Under Programs and
Services, uncheck the box next to File and Printer Sharing. Click
OK.