Let’s deal with your new computer first. This information applies specifically to Windows XP, although it has broader application as well.

Remember:

Many computers’ default configurations are insecure.
New security vulnerabilities may have been discovered between the time the computer was built and configured by the manufacturer and you setting up the computer for the first time.
When upgrading software from commercially packaged media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM), new vulnerabilities may have been discovered since the disc was manufactured.
Attackers know the common broadband and dial-up IP address ranges, and scan them regularly.
Numerous worms are already circulating on the Internet continuously scanning for new computers to exploit.
It is estimated that 80% of spam comes from personal computers (known as “Zombies”), like yours, that have been compromised with a trojan or other malware that the owner is completely unaware of. By protecting your computer you are protecting the Internet!
As a result of these hackers’ efforts, the average time-to-exploitation for an unprotected computer is measured in minutes.

Standard (wrong) advice to home users has been to download and install software patches as soon as possible after connecting a new computer to the Internet. However, since the background intruder scanning activity is pervasive, it may not be possible for you to complete the download and installation of software patches before the vulnerabilities they are trying to fix are exploited.

ASR significantly automates the process of rebuilding the system, thus allowing you to fully restore your system quickly and efficiently in the event of an emergency or complete system failure, even to a “bare” computer with no software installed.

ASR backups are written to a backup medium, such as tape, which can then be used to restore the system to its prior state. Also required is a floppy disk, which is inserted when the ASR Wizard is run.

To restore, the Windows Installation CD is used to boot up the machine. The ASR floppy disk is inserted, and the ASR restore process commences. The process is completely automated, and the system is restored without further intervention.

ASR backups are a crucial part of your backup plan that will save you both time and money. If you perform an ASR backup each month or when making major system changes, you’ll be able to restore the system easily when the need arises.