Here, in very condensed form, is a partial list of the perils that await the unprotected computers and what you can do to neutralize that threat. This is a basic overview with good suggestions, useful links and information on how to Activate Windows XP Firewall

a newly-discovered, privately-reported vulnerability. A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Plug and Play (PnP) that could allow an authenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability to take complete control of the affected system.

This update resolves a newly-discovered, privately-reported DirectShow Remote Code Execution vulnerability. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

There is one free data replication software that you can download to protect your valuable information and it’s called the Replicator! by http://www.data-replication.net