Is service pack 2 a necessity?

[EricB]

you can make sp1 safe yourself. I keep an sp1 OS around. I have a triple OS boot sytem now.

 

[mikee]

I don't like sp2 because it slows your internet and computer down. another thing is all those annoying security dialog boxes trying to not allow you to open files that turn out to be safe anyway. and yes as long as you have a good antivirus and firewall and a different browser ie firefox you should be fine.

 

[TheMajor]

I don't use SP1a nor SP2 and never had issues. Just use a good firewall and antivirus and you're good.