Administrator or Power-User?

[MrWhiteUK]

I have heard it's best not to use the admin account all the time, what are the benefits of using the power-user type instead of the admin?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Increased security

 

[MrWhiteUK]

Less likely to screw up important files?

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Less likely to screw up important files? >>



If you run a virus as a non-admin user (and you have the system setup correctly) you will only hurt yourself, not the entire system. If you run it as administrator the whole system would probably get bonked.

 

[CSFM]

If you run a virus as a non-admin user (and you have the system setup correctly) you will only hurt yourself, not the entire system. If you run it as administrator the whole system would probably get bonked.

Yeah, seems to be the way to do it. I only ever login as Admin. when I disconnect from my LAN. This is the safest way to keep the nasty's away. 🙂

 

[azkiwi]

I tried running as power User for a long time, but eventually got tired of being told this or that didn't have permission or access. Now I use a router with a firewall, strong passwords, Zonelarm Pro, Spyblocker and good antivirus software. If someone comes through all that, what the hell - I just don't have any military secrets on my rig.

Yes, it is safest to not run as Admin. The script kiddies are looking from fresh meat all the time.

 

[NogginBoink]

I finally fat-fingered one command too many and learned the hard way not to log in as administrator.

Sooner or later, we all learn this expensive lesson. I just got sick of causing myself problems. With WinXP, runas allows me to start any app as admin when I need to.

It does in the end come down to your choice of what you want.

 

[SaigonK]

I run admin rights all the time, just like was said before..I hated having to logout to run cd software or do installs etc etc.
And if you setup things to "Run as" another user, you are just a open to the problems if you were an admin.

Comes down to what you are comfortable with....

 

[Saltin]

Power user is a pain in the butt with 2k. They made some nice changes to it for XP, it's easier to run apps, etc.

 

[SUOrangeman]

"Man who play with root, kill tree."

I suppose I have just bastardized anything Confucious may have said, but the Windows world can learn from this UNIX-laden phrase.

What separates a good system admin from a great one, is that a great only uses privileged access when absolutely needed. Unless you are installing software 24/7 (yeah, that's for you all who can't live a week without updating your Detonators), you really don't need admin abilities all od the time. At the very least, create a second admin account to use so you won't screw up your only one.

-SUO

 

[acidvoodoo]

so, the admin is the only person who can install or update any software/drivers? that sucks, when i get my new XP system i want to set up dual user accouts, not for secruitity, just so like all my tabs and backrounds and setting are how i want them and no one needs to change them,

 

[Sunner]

At home I allways run with admin privs, mostly doe to laziness.

I dont have anything terribly important on my Window box anyway, and Im behind a good firewall, and keep reasonably up to date with security hotfixes that are relevant to my OS.

If I actually had anything more important than games on my box, I probabaly wouldn't though.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< At home I allways run with admin privs, mostly doe to laziness.I dont have anything terribly important on my Window box anyway, and Im behind a good firewall, and keep reasonably up to date with security hotfixes that are relevant to my OS.If I actually had anything more important than games on my box, I probabaly wouldn't though. >>



Dont forget the rest of us.

 

[Sunner]

Assuming you're referring to DoS'ing trojans and such, frankly speaking, Im not too worried about those.

Most people who use those tend to me script kiddies in my experience, and if a script kiddie can make his way through my firewall, he's almost earned it.