Service pack 2 for XP introduced the Security Center and it is now an important part of Vista. You can use this console to monitor different aspects your computer’s security settings. The three essential security settings you should implement to protect your computer are a firewall, Automatic Updates, and Malware Protection.

The Windows Security Center will give the status of these three security essentials. If one of these components is missing, it will give you recommendations that you can follow to increase security. You can also manage the security settings for Internet Options, Automatic Updates, and the Windows Firewall through the Security Center. You can find the Security Center console on your Start Menu and within the Control Panel.