Topics Map > Services > Security > Protect Yourself and Others
Safe Computing - Change Your Account Type
An Administrator level account can install any application and make any changes to a computer.
Many operating systems like Mac OS X and Linux provide a way to make your account an Administrator for a specific purpose and then allow that Administrator ability to go away. Windows however, does not currently have this process. Windows accounts when setting up a computer are an Administrator by default so that applications can be installed and changes can be made easily. Many do not change this, and as such those accounts that many people work with on their home computers every day are logged in as an Administrator. Here are the steps for creating a new Administrator account (use this account to install software and make changes) and how to turn your current account to a Standard User.
Create a New Administrator Account
- Open the Start Button
- Go to Settings
- Go to Accounts
- Click Other Users
- Under Other users, click the Add Account button
- Enter an Account name
- Enter a complex PassPhrase twice
- Click Next
Change your existing account to a Standard User
- Open the Start Button
- Go to Settings
- Go to Accounts
- Click Other Users
- Select the account that you want to change
- Click Change account type
- Change Account type to Standard User
- Click OK
- Log back in and you will be a standard user
When you need to add software, or make changes to the computer system you will be prompted for a User Name and Password, use the Administrator user name and password
This process will lessen the possibilities for malware to be installed on a computer.