| Subject: Vista Hidden Administrator:Password Use |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.security |
| Date: 8/26/2008 11:29:09 PM |
| From: grinder [Email Address Protection] |
The Hidden Administrator account has elevated priviledges that the ordinary adminsitrator enitity/identity canot use. Some of these prerogatives are important: such as to immunize the computer against spy wear ala Spybot program. The 'administrator' title for me as the sole user is NOT enough to do this task and I must activate the hidden administrator to do it. Rather that periodically activate the program to immunize once a new bunch of threats are available, it is tempting to simply password protect the hidden administrator account and let it run all the time but with protection. ::IS THIS A SAFE AND LEGITIMATE COURSE OF ACTION [TO PASS WORD PROTECT THE HIDDEN ADMINSTRATOR ACCOUNT] ASIDE FROM ANY ENHANCED SECURITY ISSUES?:: Thanks for the input of the many geeks out there who contribute so much. /s/ grinder Vista Ultimate 32X systgem -- grinder |
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| Subject: Re: Vista Hidden Administrator:Password Use |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.security |
| Date: 8/27/2008 6:18:21 AM |
| From: grinder [Email Address Protection] |
Thank you very much. I am pleased to know I was mistaken. Again, thanks. Grinder -- grinder |
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| Subject: Re: Vista Hidden Administrator:Password Use |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.security |
| Date: 8/27/2008 8:17:22 PM |
| From: Bruce Chambers [Email Address Protection] |
grinder wrote: > The Hidden Administrator account has elevated priviledges that the > ordinary adminsitrator enitity/identity canot use. > Not true. > Some of these prerogatives are important: such as to immunize the > computer against spy wear ala Spybot program. The 'administrator' title > for me as the sole user is NOT enough to do this task and I must > activate the hidden administrator to do it. > Not so. > Rather that periodically activate the program to immunize once a new > bunch of threats are available, it is tempting to simply password > protect the hidden administrator account and let it run all the time but > with protection. > > ::IS THIS A SAFE AND LEGITIMATE COURSE OF ACTION [TO PASS WORD PROTECT > THE HIDDEN ADMINSTRATOR ACCOUNT] ASIDE FROM ANY ENHANCED SECURITY > ISSUES?:: > > "Safe" is a relative term, but the account *can* be used safely by a knowledgeable individual. However, there is no need to do so, as your assumptions above are false. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot |
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| Subject: Re: Vista Hidden Administrator:Password Use |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.security |
| Date: 8/28/2008 1:37:56 PM |
| From: "FromTheRafters" [Email Address Protection] |
"grinder" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message news:fc201dbf1e7f680d9d2e6e109559eece@nntp-gateway.com... > > The Hidden Administrator account has elevated priviledges that the > ordinary adminsitrator enitity/identity canot use. No, the difference is in the token (it's not split). > Some of these prerogatives are important: such as to immunize the > computer against spy wear ala Spybot program. The 'administrator' title > for me as the sole user is NOT enough to do this task and I must > activate the hidden administrator to do it. That shouldn't be necessary. I think you are using the account just to get around other issues with the progams. > Rather that periodically activate the program to immunize once a new > bunch of threats are available, it is tempting to simply password > protect the hidden administrator account and let it run all the time but > with protection. You are not alone in this thinking. Much of the security built into Vista is circumvented in this scenario. ....and some people *really* don't need the security of UAC. It is sad to see this option being taken by those that really would benefit from it - just because of the annoyance factor. > ::IS THIS A SAFE AND LEGITIMATE COURSE OF ACTION [TO PASS WORD PROTECT > THE HIDDEN ADMINSTRATOR ACCOUNT] ASIDE FROM ANY ENHANCED SECURITY > ISSUES?:: The account has too much potential to just leave it lying around. Keep in mind that a brute force attack against a password will *eventually* prevail. > Thanks for the input of the many geeks out there who contribute so > much. My advice - don't do it. I am pretty computer savvy (err..geeky?) and I wouldn't do it. |
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