Even though i do not like Microsoft OS but live with no choice due to high market demand.In fact,how secure the OS is all depend on you on how you secure it.Like a Linux can also get rooted,not to even mention about Microsoft OS.I been using WinXP Pro for quite sometimes and i have learned the ways of securing it is to disable useless services such as plug and play,remote control features,disable tcp ip(provided you are not using it),etc.No matter how secure Win OS are still cannot compare to a secure Linux Box.