Safe to be an Administrator?

im the only person that uses my computer but i was wondering is it safe just to have one login and be the Administrator i heard that its not a good idea, why is that, if im the only one using the computer what damage could it do?

 

Getting around this morning, huh? Technically speaking, it's not a good idea to run as administrator all the time in case someone manages to hack your user account from online and take it over. If that happens, then they've got the same administrative privileges your user account has. On the other hand, if you use a limited account and it gets hacked, the hacker cannot get any greater permissions than the limited account already had. Unfortunately, that means having to switch between a limited account and an administrative account if you want to do regular stuff and monkey around with things at the same time.

 

The main problem with running as admin all the time is that any virus or malicious software does not require any authorization to alter critical system files, since they're running as root. If you run as root, you essentially expose yourself unnecessarily; unfortunately thats the default set up of every Windows version out there.

 

well im not online so that wont happen
so i should make 2 accounts one as an admin account and then one for a user account and just use the user aco**** unless its required that i be in an admin account?

yep getting around, tuesday is my last day of college so i wont be on as much so im trying to get all my questions done before i leave

 

yeah that would help with security issues...and if you need to execute a prog that requires admin rights...you'll get a window asking you to run as....and you will enter your admin name and p/w....

 

It's not a problem running admin all the time if you know what you're doing.

Yes, if you feel safer that way, you can set up 2 accounts, one admin and one limited, then use the limited one on regular basis. By the default, Windows has this "Secondary Logon" service enabled, this service will allow you to "Run As Administrator" even when you're logged in as limited user.

 

I've been running admin only for two years and have yet to encounter any problems.

As long as you know what your doing you should have no no problems.

 

By the way, the "Run As" in Vista is not exactly the same as XP by default. In XP, it allows you to enter credentials other than the administrator one. In Vista, it replaced "Run As" with "Run As Administrator", which doesn't allow you to enter other non-admin credentials. If you need the more options run as like XP, you can download this add-on from M$:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc300361.aspx

 

You shouldn't run into any troubles always logging in as admin. It'll save you more hassle on the long run.

 

In XP, the Administrator account and your primary name account have the same privileges, so technically you're already running an Administrator account.

If you're not running XP, then ignore what I said.

 

I personally would tighten down the firewall and make sure that your computer isn't enabled to make and remote desktop connections. Just to be sure that no one gains access to the computer and will have amin access while on it.

Other than that I suppose the only issue would be doing bad stuff. If you're like me, and you never download torrents (even legit ones) and never download anything from a source you can't trust, then you will probably be alright.

 

Are you on XP or Vista?

 

What's wrong with torrents?

 

Nothing is inherently wrong with them. They provide quicker downloads usually and keep stress off of an organizations servers. However, ones carrying illegal material can very commonly contain viruses or malware. It is usually more about what you are downloading rather when how. Really this material could contain bad stuff whether it is via a torrent or not. But since viruses tend to be transmitted by whatever the popular methods are, I try to stay away from popular methods. And torrents are very popular.

But if you are downloading a torrent where the tracking servers (whatever it is torrents call that) that are maintained by the legitimate organization that owns the file, then it is safe enough. If it is a Linux OS for example those are safe. I just stay away from the whole thing . I'll download from a server I trust or not download at all.

It may seem paranoid, but I haven't once been infected with a virus, malware or adware... So it has worked for me .

 

Most of the security geeks strongly advise running with a limited account, and then running that inside a sandbox.

I do neither.

 

Apparently military computing facilities ensure their security by not connecting to the internet at all. The networks are intranets that are independent of computers outside the internet... but this is just what I've heard.

If you're that paranoid... or you could just install Linux .

 

It is true. I've supported projects that had no outside connectivity and any media going in never comes out.

 

I use XP in super duper mode all the time. I credit Sygate firewall, Spybot S&D, and NOD32 for protecting me against my knack for double-clicking clickme.exe, sasser.exe, and similar files.

 

I use a "limited" or "standard" (in the case of Windows Vista) user account for pretty much everything. I like to think of my "Ricky (admin)" account as an account by name alone-I make it a rule to never logon to the Administrator account because UAC pretty much makes it unnecessary-Just respond accordingly to the prompt (or right click and choose "Run as administrator" as described earlier) and tada-you get admin rights for that particular item. The way it works in XP (Shift+Right Click-Run As...) is similar.

I'm pretty security savvy (maybe a little too much, LOL) but using a "standard" account boost's my confidence level just a wee bit more.

I'd say the only way to see if it fits your computing style is to try it. Create an admin account and switch the one your using now to "Limited" or "standard" and see if works for you. I'd give it a week or two.

 

i think i will go with two user accounts just to see whatits like, i dont have any internet access at the moment anywasy so no risk i have plenty of time til i go to uni as well which is a plus thanx for al lthe help. if i dont like it, i guess i could go mad with al lthe firewalls, antivirus and everything else, any ideas?

 

Yes, as Bog suggested, you could try Linux. For example, you could download Ubuntu, copy it to a disk, and then use it as a LiveCD to see what you think of the distro. If you like it, install as a dual-boot and use it when going online. The chances of your machine being infested by malware are extremely minute in comparison with using Windows.

 

Why are you making this a big deal? Do you frequently browse po** stuff? Then only you should be worried.

 

Check this out: User Account Creation in New/Reinstalled Vista Computer!

 

He's just asking questions and looking for advice. That's what these forums are about, no? He's got lots of questions which is good, IMO. Makes people who care about their answers, think a bit about their responses.