0
Win 7 system. Four named "Users": 1. "Authenticated Users" (whatever that means); 2. "SYSTEM"; 3. Administrator (me); 4. "Users (me)".
"SYSTEM" & "Administrator" have all privledges allowed. "Users (me)" only has the privledges of "Read & Execute", "List Folder Contents", and "Read" over drive C. User me does NOT have granted "Full Control", "Modify", or "Write" privledges allowed. I'm assuming these are default Win 7 settings?
I had an issue with a patched-in XP hard drive (now drive F) from my old system, now on my new Win 7 system that was only cleared up after I gave myself greater privledges over drive F, in contrast to reduced drive C privledges where I do 99% of my computer activities. Hidden file "thumbs.db" rebuilt itself, rendering pictures properly for Win 7 digestion, once I gained control over F drive, and issue was fixed. Should I step back now from security privledges? This is my computer alone, not shared.
I don't even see how else to log in, other than User me, and I'm not sure if log in is thru the official "Administrator" acct, or User me... I suspect User me. How I would switch to the offical "Admin" acct to do admin duties there is a bit of a puzzle.
Bottomline, is there a recommended security protocol to using your computer in a "stepped-down" fashion from that of Administrator, to better prevent a hijacked system via breach? Or if you are sole user, is it recommended, given the threat environment, to be using the computer with all privleges granted in the security tab? Where might I be directed to a Win 7 security privledges primer on settings and safe practices? The fact I have an older XP hard drive with all its older XP protocols... patched into my new Win 7 system is a bit of a curveball on this issue, I think.
I am behind a router firewall and Win 7 software firewall and have AV if that even matters here.