Please explan simply

From: Doug (d@hotmail)
Date: 05/31/02 

From: "Doug" <d@hotmail>
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 11:11:35 -0700

I have a new computer with XP home on it and have been
using it to play games on. I now use my old machine to
acess the internet and work on raster maps becouse i have
been told that XP steals personal information. Is this
true? Can i protect my self? Would nortons fire wall
software work?
Thank you
Doug