untangling_the_web

DID: 4046925
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User Profiles and the RunAs Command in Windows XP
One of the best features of Windows XP, even in the Home Edition, is user profile
administration and the RunAs command. While these options existed in Windows
2000/NT, Windows XP was the first Microsoft operating system to make these very
important computer management and security features easily accessible and
configurable for the home user. Although Windows XP Home Edition offers limited
user and profile management when compared to the Professional Edition, it does
introduce the concept of the Administrator versus the user as part of its user
accounts. You should set up different types of accounts on your computer(s)
running Windows XP Home Edition. Here's why and how.
Windows XP automatically creates certain built-in groups when it is installed. In
Windows XP Home Edition, you belong to one of two broad types of "Groups": either
Administrator or User. Belonging to a group gives a user rights. and abilities to
perform various tasks on the computer. Unfortunately, in Windows XP Home Edition
by default, all user accounts have administrative privileges and no password.
This is a potentially serious security vulnerability that should be remedied right away.
If you always use your computer as the Administrator, it means that, if you encounter
a virus, a Trojan horse, or a worm while you are logged on as Administrator, your
entire system could be compromised because the Administrator has full control over
every aspect of the computer. When you are logged on as Administrator, every
program you run has unlimited access to your computer. If malware finds its
way to one of those programs, it also gains unlimited access. However, if you create
user accounts and normally log in as a user and not as the Administrator, any
malware you encounter will be limited in the amount and kind of damage it can do to
your computer.
Here is how to set up user accounts in Windows XP Home Edition. 20o
200 Windows XP Professional has additional user categories, including Power User, that are absent
from the Home Edition. If you have Windows XP Pro at home, you have more options for how to
administer your computers and your network.
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