Windows 8: security and backup

[makken]

So a few questions on win8:

How has everyone secure their win8?
Just downgrade to a limited user account and set up windows defender?
Should I link my admin account to a Microsoft account? Or would that adversely affect security, and I should keep it as a local account?
Is there anything else I need to do?

So I want to have a mirrored copy of several folders onto an external drive to act as backup. How do I set this up in win8?

 

[Chiefcrowe]

First, i'd definitely run day to day stuff with a limited user account and yes use defender unless you prefer another program.

I don't know about linking accounts for sure but my feeling is keep it local. and of course use the latest version of all the software that you run.

I don't know how to set up mirrored folders, without using a 3rd party program. The new windows backup works differently as I understand it.

 

[ViRGE]

I don't know about linking accounts for sure but my feeling is keep it local.

Ditto. I get why MS is offering it, but I'm not sure I'm happy with the security implications (or what happens when MS's servers are down).

 

[makken]

I don't know how to set up mirrored folders, without using a 3rd party program. The new windows backup works differently as I understand it.

I've been trying all night yesterday with "File History" to get this to work the way I want. I'm either overlooking something or its not possible to backup specific folders/files using that thing.

It looks like control panel also includes "Windows 7 File Recovery" which looks like the old backup system from Windows 7, so I guess I will use that.

I don't know about linking accounts for sure but my feeling is keep it local. and of course use the latest version of all the software that you run.

I've linked my limited account to Microsoft. It looks like its pretty much required for a lot of the metro stuff to work *cough*mail*cough*

I'm keeping my Admin account local, but I like that password recovery via phone that the MS account offers...