hey

i was under the impression that there was a distinction between the
terms 'user' and 'administrator'. is there?

if there is only one user for the computer does vista automatically
make this user the administrator.

and when starting in safe mode is this same 'user administrator' the
'default administrator' ?

cheers
ethan


--
ethan

They are all "Users". And no, unlike XP, Vista does not make the first logon
the Administrator. The first logon is made *an* Administrator, of the
Administrator's group, but there's a user named Administrator, often called
"Super-Administrator". The Administrator account has built-in elevated
privileges that "normal" Administrators do not.

There is also a built-in (and super-hidden) "Default" account that's used as
a template for new accounts, and a slightly less hidden user named "Public"
along with several others that you only see mention of in the file or folder
properties and which do not have a folder in the Users folder. (Neither does
Administrator until you first log on to it.)

Never heard of "Default Administrator". Not sure what you mean by that last
part.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"ethan" wrote in message
...

hey

i was under the impression that there was a distinction between the
terms 'user' and 'administrator'. is there?

if there is only one user for the computer does vista automatically
make this user the administrator.

and when starting in safe mode is this same 'user administrator' the
'default administrator' ?

cheers
ethan


--
ethan

In addition to what Gary T posted, here's a simple explanation from Help and
Support:


There are three different kinds of user accounts:

Standard

Administrator

Guest

Each account type gives the user a different level of control over the
computer. The standard account is the account to use for everyday computing.
The administrator account provides the most control over the computer, and
should only be used when necessary. The guest account is primarily for people
who need temporary access to the computer.



--
oscar

....Right click is your very good friend...


"ethan" wrote:


hey

i was under the impression that there was a distinction between the
terms 'user' and 'administrator'. is there?

if there is only one user for the computer does vista automatically
make this user the administrator.

and when starting in safe mode is this same 'user administrator' the
'default administrator' ?

cheers
ethan


--
ethan

"oscar" wrote in message
...
In addition to what Gary T posted, here's a simple explanation from Help
and
Support:

The guest account is primarily for people
who need temporary access to the computer.


Ummm no. The Guest account is a security risk (according to MS Base Security
Analyser) and should be disabled. if people need casual access to a
computer, create a Standard User account, and call it "Visitor" or something
similar...

There was a singular lack of detail in your reply. What makes the Guest
account a risk? Or does MBSA provide that information? And why can't the
Guest account simply be tweaked to get rid of the risk? Is there something
about the Guest account that makes it so different than any other account
that it can't even be tweaked?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"Gordon" wrote in message
...
"oscar" wrote in message
...
In addition to what Gary T posted, here's a simple explanation from Help
and
Support:

The guest account is primarily for people
who need temporary access to the computer.


Ummm no. The Guest account is a security risk (according to MS Base
Security Analyser) and should be disabled. if people need casual access to
a computer, create a Standard User account, and call it "Visitor" or
something similar...

"Gary S. Terhune" none wrote in message
...
There was a singular lack of detail in your reply. What makes the Guest
account a risk? Or does MBSA provide that information? And why can't the
Guest account simply be tweaked to get rid of the risk? Is there something
about the Guest account that makes it so different than any other account
that it can't even be tweaked?



Loads of stuff here as to why it's a security risk, and no I don't think the
MBSA says WHY it's a security risk...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...+Windows&meta=

I had to read ten absolutely useless articles before I came across this one:
http://www.techweb.com/wire/security/170000329

Wherein it explains that certain (stupid) configurations of XP involving
Simple File Sharing and the lack of passwords, including the Guest account
and specifically XP SP1 (SP2 patched it) might create a vulnerability.

What's true is you don't know jack about the subject. What's true is that
turning off the Guest account is the simpleton's way of "fixing" the
problem.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"Gordon" wrote in message
...
"Gary S. Terhune" none wrote in message
...
There was a singular lack of detail in your reply. What makes the Guest
account a risk? Or does MBSA provide that information? And why can't the
Guest account simply be tweaked to get rid of the risk? Is there
something about the Guest account that makes it so different than any
other account that it can't even be tweaked?



Loads of stuff here as to why it's a security risk, and no I don't think
the MBSA says WHY it's a security risk...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...+Windows&meta=

"Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:

I had to read ten absolutely useless articles before I came across this one:
http://www.techweb.com/wire/security/170000329

Wherein it explains that certain (stupid) configurations of XP involving
Simple File Sharing and the lack of passwords, including the Guest account
and specifically XP SP1 (SP2 patched it) might create a vulnerability.

I read the entire article.

If I read it correctly... Vista, XP SP2 and XP SP3 users can put the
"unsecure guest account" matter to bed, right?

What's true is you don't know jack about the subject. What's true is that
turning off the Guest account is the simpleton's way of "fixing" the
problem.

DDW
--
Reply via this group
No email please

I'm not going that far. I don't know anything more than that Gordon is not
providing any real evidence to back up his statements. So far, it's been
more the opposite. But that doesn't mean there isn't something I *don't*
know about with regard to the Guest account. I just don't see anything that
says other than what I already practice and should already be applied to ALL
accounts. Use strong passwords and turn off Simple File Sharing.

If you intend to use the Guest account, I'd advise you to start a new thread
with the subject line: "Is the Guest account insecure?"

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"DDW" wrote in message
...
"Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:

I had to read ten absolutely useless articles before I came across this
one:
http://www.techweb.com/wire/security/170000329

Wherein it explains that certain (stupid) configurations of XP involving
Simple File Sharing and the lack of passwords, including the Guest account
and specifically XP SP1 (SP2 patched it) might create a vulnerability.

I read the entire article.

If I read it correctly... Vista, XP SP2 and XP SP3 users can put the
"unsecure guest account" matter to bed, right?

What's true is you don't know jack about the subject. What's true is that
turning off the Guest account is the simpleton's way of "fixing" the
problem.

DDW
--
Reply via this group
No email please

"Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:

I'm not going that far. I don't know anything more than that Gordon is not
providing any real evidence to back up his statements. So far, it's been
more the opposite. But that doesn't mean there isn't something I *don't*
know about with regard to the Guest account. I just don't see anything that
says other than what I already practice and should already be applied to ALL
accounts. Use strong passwords and turn off Simple File Sharing.

If you intend to use the Guest account, I'd advise you to start a new thread
with the subject line: "Is the Guest account insecure?"

Nope. No such intention. I've just seen so much about this "insecure
guest account" thing, I hoped you finally pointed out the answer :-\

DDW
--
Reply via this group
No email please