Recommended user accounts setup?

[urbangolden]

I have Vista Home Premium 32bit on my laptop and currently am using the admin account that was created during Vista setup. I was wondering if it would be more secure to use a standard account for everyday use then the admin account created during setup? I am the only one who uses the laptop for the most part. Is it true that the normal admin account is the same as a standard account except UAC asks for permission to perform admin tasks?

This forum has some unique smilies by the way. party:

 

[DC187]

Using a standard user account it undoubtedly more secure, but also more restrictive - for a reason!
You can disable UAC but using a standard user account will prevent the majority of software installs and "grey out" some advanced options in various dialog boxes.
However you can always often right click and perform a "Run As" to elevate privileges on files.
No doubt someone here can give you a better explanation than I have but I hope I've given you a basic idea.

I myself however have a disabled local Administrator account and use an account that is a member of the local Administrators group, but I'm confident in what I do and most of the time need full admin access for the tasks I perform.

Hope that helps to an extent.

 

[urbangolden]

Thanks DC187 for your reply.
Will a virus be able to do anymore damage with a admin account then a standard account? From what I understand, correct me if I'm wrong, a normal admin account is the same as a standard account with UAC enabled. Except with a admin account it asks for confirmation to continue and a standard account asks for a admin account's password to continue.

 

[zigzag3143]

Thanks DC187 for your reply.
Will a virus be able to do anymore damage with a admin account then a standard account? From what I understand, correct me if I'm wrong, a normal admin account is the same as a standard account with UAC enabled. Except with a admin account it asks for confirmation to continue and a standard account asks for a admin account's password to continue.

Hey U

yes, tons more damage, no normal admin can launch, edit, store, delete,change passwords, etc. All a virus has to do is change your admin password and confirm the uac, and its hosed.

Run as std untill you need to do something as admin. more importantly, antivirus app, firewall, dont open email attachments, the usual.

good luck and welome

Ken

 

[urbangolden]

I thought only humans could confirm the UAC...?

 

[zigzag3143]

I thought only humans could confirm the UAC...?

I figure if someone can write uac someone can write how to defeat. Im not 100% sure so Im gonna say a qualified probably can be defeated. truth be told I have UAC off and run as admin. I have more security than god and I know what to watch out for.

You best middle of the road is to have strong secure anticirus, firewall (not windows) keep updates current, have a strong browser where site re-direction and scripting are turned off and you are probably safe

Ken