What you might consider is a virtual machine.  You can download Sun Virtualbox for free from https://www.virtualbox.org/ and then install your xp instance as a VM.  Set the VM to not save machine state after you get it all installed.  That way you can play your games and then when you shut down the machine, it doesn’t keep any changes (e.g. malware that might have been picked up).  Each time you start the machine, it wakes up as that new machine all over again.  This however won’t work if your gaming requirements are high-end as the virtualized hardware the VM see's tends to be medium end at best.

Ken

www.kmbl.us

Mobi,

What you are proposing is a Network Access Control (NAC) solution.  There are several venders who make this in different hardware implementations.  Cisco and Bluecoat are the 500 lb guerillas in the room in this area.   I have to tell you it’s not cheap and requires a fair amount of infrastructure and modification.  For instance you have to set up authorized and unauthorized vlans on the switches, redundant clean access servers, etc…  So unless you have 50K in hardware and licensing to spend, you probably are looking for a software only solution.  If that’s the case, then I would look at McAfee ePolicy, which has a NAC and rouge device option.  Either way be prepared for lots of cost.  If you can’t afford the implementation, one no cost, high effort solution is to use sticky macs in your switches (https://supportforums.cisco.com/thread/151147).  This however does not provide a reporting component. Hope this was helpful.

Ken

www.kmbl.us

I am assuming this is an issue of cost avoidance, rather than a lack of an enterprise solution and reporting issue.  If this is the case, installing AVG Free edition is a far better solution.  You don’t get everything, but it beat the solution you are proposing.

Ken

www.kmbl.us

Lucy,

If you are just starting out, you should being with a basic security overview and certification.  I recommend CompTIA Security+.  Taking CEH or CISSP before laying this foundation is a waste of time and money.  Go to:  http://www.kmbl.us/Education_resources.htm and there are some good free security training overview materials that will give you some ideas.

Ken

www.kmbl.us