How do I remove the admin login password and remain secure in XP?

[Huggies]

I'm running XP pro and I ran some microsoft security scan on my system and it told me my admin account was vulnerable (well duh it has no password I'm the only one who uses my machine) and I put a password on it. But lately its very annoying to have to type in a password everytime I boot XP, can someone tell me exactly which options I need to edit to make sure its impossible to connect to my machine from the internet, atleast all the documented functions, I would appreciate it, thanks.

 

[Psychoholic]

<< can someone tell me exactly which options I need to edit to make sure its impossible to connect to my machine from the internet, >>


The only way that will happen is if you unplug it from the wall. No machine is impenetrable, no matter what the OS. You should leave the password on as a security measure and you should also look into a firewall solution. Personally for a home computer I would recommend a SMC Barricade as a hardware router/firewall and then a desktop firewall such as Tiny, to provide additional security. You can use XP's firewall instead but a third party desktop firewall is more secure.

 

[corkyg]

Install the Tweak.ui that comes with XP Powertoys. It has an AUTOLOGON tab. That will automatically provide your password, etc., so you don't have to bother. It works very well . . . I have three systems netted and running XP-Pro that are set that way. (Power on and forget!)

Also, I have a hardware firewall in my DSL router and ZoneAlarm 2.362 on top of that. I am the only user so local security is an oxymoron.

 

[Huggies]

I know what you're saying and I agree with that, but what I'm saying is I want to know all the documented places in XP to goto to turn off features like remote procedure call, remote desktop all that remote access options in XP that are documented and can be turned off, I'm using PRO so I have the built in firewall so I'm not too concerned, but if windows leaves the ports open intentionally because I had a setting wrong, that would kind of be something I would like to avoid and thus I'm asking for which windows features i need to disable to turn off those remote connection services, hope the clears up the question a little more, thanks.

 

[Huggies]

Thanks that helped alot, got rid of that annoying logon!!

 

[patrickj]

You could also rename the admin account to something else.

 

[krystalogik]

Make yourself a user, but keep the admin account's password. You can leave your limited user account with no pass, and thenjust use the "Run As..." Feature when you wanna be adminified.

I like Patrickj's idea


<< You could also rename the admin account to something else. >>

 

[Panther505]

Along the lines of patrickj- I do the following

1. Rename the Administrator account to the account that I want to use (with an 8 digit or longer PW)
Administrator --> hax0r

2. Create a User Account named Administrator and leave it with user only privledges (any pw)

3 .Create an Admin account called root (or insert your own most favorable username) that is a member of the admin group. (Reason for this is in case you really screw up you common username you can still get in on an administrative account) again with an 8 digit or better PW


I myself use a variation on this as I actually switch #1 and #3 so that I leave the original Admin account alone most of the time. If you use this method with the TweakUI you will find that it will solve most of the issues that you have