For securing Windows XP since it's out of support from Microsoft, just 
install the following security prep: 
- Avast or AVG free AntiVirus 
- Spybot for immunization & antispyware 
- Malwarebytes for protection against malware & adware 
  
Disable Windows firewall and install ZoneAlarm firewall. 
Disable Windows Updates (since there are no more updates anymore). 
Don't use Internet Explorer anymore, rather install Firefox and/or 
Google Chrome for your main web browser. 
  
You should be fine to run Windows XP this way to be secure. 
  
-- Adam Glazener 
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr5