Safe to take XP without any SPs online?

I have an old copy of Windows XP that I am about to install, it doesn't even have SP1 on it.

I remember hearing that it is very dangerous to take an outdated copy of XP online without protection, that it will become infected within moments without even surfing to a single website, is this true? Should I install antivirus and firewalls before connecting the system online? I remember hearing that sometimes XP needs to install some small updates before installing an SP, is this true, or can I install XP offline, then download SP3 from another PC and install that offline without any problems?

What method would you recommend I do? (Other than slipstreaming)

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I install XP offline, then download SP3 from another PC and install that offline without any problems?

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You need to install SP1 before you go to SP3.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc507836.aspx

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your computer must at least be running Windows XP with Service Pack 1 installed.

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There is also another, (apparently outdated), Microsoft page that says you must have at least SP1a installed:

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/

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To install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), either Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) must already be installed.

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However ...

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers - 316.4 MB
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

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Overview

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system.
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System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems:
  
  
  
  • Windows XP Home Edition
  • Windows XP Professional Edition
  • Windows XP Service Pack 1
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2

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Are you behind a hardware firewall or NAT router? If so, then it is safe enough to go online in order to get the updates that you need. But you should definitely never attempt it without a firewall or NAT.

Ok, so sounds like the safest course of action would be to download SP2, install it, then SP3, install it, THEN take it online? Most of the links I find for the SPs however are very small programs that just download the required files online and other such network installers, I know that offline installers exist, where can I find them?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

If you're going to download the offline installers, you might as well make a slipstreamed CD. You'd have to make a slipstreamed SP2 disc before you create a SP3 one.

http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/u...streamer.shtml