Admin account v user account

Hi Dacpro;

Yes. It is normal practice to have a user account with limited privileges to normal be used for day to day operations. If you use admin then you are leaving yourself open to being attacked by hacker.

Allan

You'll get varying opinions on whether or not to use an admin or standard account. I do the former even though Apple in its security documents recommends using standard accounts on multiuser machines, which mine isn't. Search these forums for *admin account*, *standard account*, and *nonadmin account* to see what others have posted.

Since you're new to the Mac world, see these:

Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
MacFixIt Tutorials,
MacTips, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition.

Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:

Quick Assist.
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

Hi

For me a secure Admin account is all I need. Normal is what you want it to be and what your needs are.

My main focus is with server controlled environments (Apple's Open Directory) in educational institutions. In those environments a secure local admin account is essential. Students have access thereafter with networked controlled accounts. If you've ever worked with Active Directory then you will know what I mean.

On a different note: now that you've taken the plunge and decided to use a mac you will now know what it's like to get to your desktop and begin working within a minute of switching on your computer. I've not seen a PC manage this yet.

Ironically not unless it's installed on a Intel Mac.

Tony

Thanks for the feedback. Good computing.