Laptop security

So I have been using my laptop for everything including all my banking etc. How can I protect this info if my laptop gets stolen? I am using XP and have a strong password on the profile with the private profile option set. But I'm guessing this is not that safe at all. That it would be easy to get into that profile if you wanted to.

So is their a way to really protect your profile and saved files on the HD of a laptop should it get stolen?

Thanks

I suggest using Zone Alarm, it is really useful program and it won't let anything get out or get in your PC without your permission.

Zone Alarm is just a firewall program and its not what I'm talking about at all. I'm talking about something that protects the files/profiles on your HD should the laptop be stolen. This has nothing to do with the internet or firewalls.

Can anyone else help?

You'll have to encrypt your data on the disk.

You should look into programs like truecrypt.