Guest GO Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Hello, I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my configuration of the system I had noticed that I was locked out of the Administrator account, I believe the error message mentioned something about the system policies preventing this. This in itself is not really a problem as I just created my own "administrator" account. Is there anyway that someone could gain access to the system using the Administrator account or is the only way to use it is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". Thanks, Greg
Guest sillyputty Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: > I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just looking > for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this was my first > opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my configuration of the > system I had noticed that I was locked out of the Administrator account, I > believe the error message mentioned something about the system policies > preventing this. This in itself is not really a problem as I just created > my own "administrator" account. Is there anyway that someone could gain > access to the system using the Administrator account or is the only way to > use it is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked > down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE or Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access to your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of windoze users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS has tried to address this in Vista with annoying results, from what I've read) he or she can do pretty much anything he/she wants. Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin (called 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever permissions_should_work. You can do most anything without going to super-user mode, BUT for mission critical uses super-user locks your computer down tight as a drum; besides Linux's normal mode being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, while I was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a jokester and was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny names. But he just as easily could've seriously compromised my system. Since then I've never used IE (switched to Firefox), except when downloading MS updates (I keep a good watch on my firewall) and when testing webpages. The intruder has not gotten in since.
Guest Patrick Keenan Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message news:e3UFuV34HHA.5852@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > sillyputty wrote: >> On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: >>> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >>> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this >>> was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my >>> configuration of the system I had noticed that I was locked out of >>> the Administrator account, I believe the error message mentioned >>> something about the system policies preventing this. This in itself >>> is not really a problem as I just created my own "administrator" >>> account. Is there anyway that someone could gain access to the >>> system using the Administrator account or is the only way to use it >>> is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked >>> down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". >> >> Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, >> most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat >> hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). >> Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE or >> Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest >> critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access to >> your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of windoze >> users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS has tried to >> address this in Vista with annoying results, from what I've read) he >> or she can do pretty much anything he/she wants. >> >> Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin (called >> 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever permissions_should_work. You can >> do most anything without going to super-user mode, BUT for mission >> critical uses super-user locks your computer down tight as a drum; >> besides Linux's normal mode being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. >> >> I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, while I >> was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a jokester and >> was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny names. But he just as >> easily could've seriously compromised my system. Since then I've never >> used IE (switched to Firefox), except when downloading MS updates (I >> keep a good watch on my firewall) and when testing webpages. The >> intruder has not gotten in since. > > Thanks for the reply "sillyputty". I am reasonably confident that the > machine is locked down. The user is not computer savy at all and I have > configured him to work with a limited (ie regular) user account and he > *is* > using Firefox. The firewall is set to deny access to anything other than > what I've already specified, and the personal administrator account I made > has a very strong password. My main concern lies with the default > Administrator account. I am unfamiliar with XP Home and it appears that > the > Administrator account is locked out for everything except for accessing > the > machine via safe mode. I just want to make sure this is the case because > there is no password on the account (at least not with one that I have > provided). That's correct. By design, the actual Administrator account for XP Home is *only* available in Safe Mode, and by default, it has no password. You can, of course, add one - and should. HTH -pk
Guest GO Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... sillyputty wrote: > On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: >> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this >> was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my >> configuration of the system I had noticed that I was locked out of >> the Administrator account, I believe the error message mentioned >> something about the system policies preventing this. This in itself >> is not really a problem as I just created my own "administrator" >> account. Is there anyway that someone could gain access to the >> system using the Administrator account or is the only way to use it >> is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked >> down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". > > Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, > most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat > hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). > Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE or > Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest > critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access to > your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of windoze > users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS has tried to > address this in Vista with annoying results, from what I've read) he > or she can do pretty much anything he/she wants. > > Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin (called > 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever permissions_should_work. You can > do most anything without going to super-user mode, BUT for mission > critical uses super-user locks your computer down tight as a drum; > besides Linux's normal mode being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. > > I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, while I > was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a jokester and > was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny names. But he just as > easily could've seriously compromised my system. Since then I've never > used IE (switched to Firefox), except when downloading MS updates (I > keep a good watch on my firewall) and when testing webpages. The > intruder has not gotten in since. Thanks for the reply "sillyputty". I am reasonably confident that the machine is locked down. The user is not computer savy at all and I have configured him to work with a limited (ie regular) user account and he *is* using Firefox. The firewall is set to deny access to anything other than what I've already specified, and the personal administrator account I made has a very strong password. My main concern lies with the default Administrator account. I am unfamiliar with XP Home and it appears that the Administrator account is locked out for everything except for accessing the machine via safe mode. I just want to make sure this is the case because there is no password on the account (at least not with one that I have provided).
Guest Richard in AZ Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message news:e3UFuV34HHA.5852@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > sillyputty wrote: >> On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: >>> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >>> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this >>> was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my >>> configuration of the system I had noticed that I was locked out of >>> the Administrator account, I believe the error message mentioned >>> something about the system policies preventing this. This in itself >>> is not really a problem as I just created my own "administrator" >>> account. Is there anyway that someone could gain access to the >>> system using the Administrator account or is the only way to use it >>> is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked >>> down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". >> >> Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, >> most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat >> hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). >> Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE or >> Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest >> critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access to >> your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of windoze >> users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS has tried to >> address this in Vista with annoying results, from what I've read) he >> or she can do pretty much anything he/she wants. >> >> Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin (called >> 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever permissions_should_work. You can >> do most anything without going to super-user mode, BUT for mission >> critical uses super-user locks your computer down tight as a drum; >> besides Linux's normal mode being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. >> >> I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, while I >> was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a jokester and >> was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny names. But he just as >> easily could've seriously compromised my system. Since then I've never >> used IE (switched to Firefox), except when downloading MS updates (I >> keep a good watch on my firewall) and when testing webpages. The >> intruder has not gotten in since. > > Thanks for the reply "sillyputty". I am reasonably confident that the > machine is locked down. The user is not computer savy at all and I have > configured him to work with a limited (ie regular) user account and he *is* > using Firefox. The firewall is set to deny access to anything other than > what I've already specified, and the personal administrator account I made > has a very strong password. My main concern lies with the default > Administrator account. I am unfamiliar with XP Home and it appears that the > Administrator account is locked out for everything except for accessing the > machine via safe mode. I just want to make sure this is the case because > there is no password on the account (at least not with one that I have > provided). You are right. The administrator account is only available in XP Home Edition by going into the Safe Mode.
Guest GO Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Patrick Keenan wrote: > "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message > news:e3UFuV34HHA.5852@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> sillyputty wrote: >>> On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: >>>> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >>>> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as >>>> this was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. >>>> During my configuration of the system I had noticed that I was >>>> locked out of the Administrator account, I believe the error >>>> message mentioned something about the system policies preventing >>>> this. This in itself is not really a problem as I just created my >>>> own "administrator" account. Is there anyway that someone could >>>> gain access to the system using the Administrator account or is >>>> the only way to use it is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure >>>> that the computer is locked down sufficiently especially against >>>> remote "attacks". >>> >>> Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, >>> most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat >>> hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). >>> Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE or >>> Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest >>> critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access to >>> your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of windoze >>> users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS has tried to >>> address this in Vista with annoying results, from what I've read) he >>> or she can do pretty much anything he/she wants. >>> >>> Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin >>> (called 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever >>> permissions_should_work. You can do most anything without going to >>> super-user mode, BUT for mission critical uses super-user locks >>> your computer down tight as a drum; besides Linux's normal mode >>> being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. >>> >>> I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, while I >>> was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a jokester and >>> was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny names. But he just as >>> easily could've seriously compromised my system. Since then I've >>> never used IE (switched to Firefox), except when downloading MS >>> updates (I keep a good watch on my firewall) and when testing >>> webpages. The intruder has not gotten in since. >> >> Thanks for the reply "sillyputty". I am reasonably confident that >> the machine is locked down. The user is not computer savy at all >> and I have configured him to work with a limited (ie regular) user >> account and he *is* >> using Firefox. The firewall is set to deny access to anything other >> than what I've already specified, and the personal administrator >> account I made has a very strong password. My main concern lies >> with the default Administrator account. I am unfamiliar with XP >> Home and it appears that the >> Administrator account is locked out for everything except for >> accessing the >> machine via safe mode. I just want to make sure this is the case >> because there is no password on the account (at least not with one >> that I have provided). > > That's correct. By design, the actual Administrator account for XP > Home is *only* available in Safe Mode, and by default, it has no > password. You can, of course, add one - and should. > > HTH > -pk Thanks Patrick. Is there anyway to apply a password remotely (like if I were to "remote assist" into the computer)? I didn't even see the Administrator account listed in the "accounts applet". The computer is 1500km away so I don't have direct access to it now. At the time I just assumed that the Administrator account was completely locked out on XP Home, and I didn't have the time to research the issue while I was there. Since the account is only available in Safe Mode it seems like a fairly low risk to leave it as is until I visit again in a couple months. Thanks again, Greg
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... That's NOT correct. You can certainly log on to Administrator in Normal mode. I do it all the time. If you get the simple logon screen, press Ctrl-Alt-Del twice. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Patrick Keenan" <test@dev.null> wrote in message news:On2niY34HHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > > That's correct. By design, the actual Administrator account for XP Home > is *only* available in Safe Mode, and by default, it has no password. > You can, of course, add one - and should. > > HTH > -pk >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Ahhh... There's the rub. I use Pro. I missed the reference to Home Edition. Didn't know that about HE. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Richard in AZ" <me@mailinator.com> wrote in message news:%23$nRcP44HHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > > "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message > news:e3UFuV34HHA.5852@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> sillyputty wrote: >>> On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: >>>> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >>>> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this >>>> was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my >>>> configuration of the system I had noticed that I was locked out of >>>> the Administrator account, I believe the error message mentioned >>>> something about the system policies preventing this. This in itself >>>> is not really a problem as I just created my own "administrator" >>>> account. Is there anyway that someone could gain access to the >>>> system using the Administrator account or is the only way to use it >>>> is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked >>>> down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". >>> >>> Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, >>> most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat >>> hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). >>> Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE or >>> Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest >>> critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access to >>> your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of windoze >>> users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS has tried to >>> address this in Vista with annoying results, from what I've read) he >>> or she can do pretty much anything he/she wants. >>> >>> Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin (called >>> 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever permissions_should_work. You can >>> do most anything without going to super-user mode, BUT for mission >>> critical uses super-user locks your computer down tight as a drum; >>> besides Linux's normal mode being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. >>> >>> I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, while I >>> was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a jokester and >>> was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny names. But he just as >>> easily could've seriously compromised my system. Since then I've never >>> used IE (switched to Firefox), except when downloading MS updates (I >>> keep a good watch on my firewall) and when testing webpages. The >>> intruder has not gotten in since. >> >> Thanks for the reply "sillyputty". I am reasonably confident that the >> machine is locked down. The user is not computer savy at all and I have >> configured him to work with a limited (ie regular) user account and he >> *is* >> using Firefox. The firewall is set to deny access to anything other than >> what I've already specified, and the personal administrator account I >> made >> has a very strong password. My main concern lies with the default >> Administrator account. I am unfamiliar with XP Home and it appears that >> the >> Administrator account is locked out for everything except for accessing >> the >> machine via safe mode. I just want to make sure this is the case >> because >> there is no password on the account (at least not with one that I have >> provided). > > You are right. The administrator account is only available in XP Home > Edition by going into the Safe Mode. > >
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... GO wrote: > Hello, > > I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just looking > for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this was my first > opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my configuration of the > system I had noticed that I was locked out of the Administrator account, I > believe the error message mentioned something about the system policies > preventing this. This in itself is not really a problem as I just created > my own "administrator" account. Is there anyway that someone could gain > access to the system using the Administrator account or is the only way to > use it is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked > down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". > > > Thanks, > > Greg > > By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. F Unless you've set the Administrator's password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the user to set the Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html 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
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Gary S. Terhune wrote: > That's NOT correct. You can certainly log on to Administrator in Normal > mode. I do it all the time. If you get the simple logon screen, press > Ctrl-Alt-Del twice. > Then you're using WinXP Pro (or MCE), not WinXP Home, Gary. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html 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
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Yup, realized that difference after the fact. One of those things that I used to know that had fallen victim to CRS. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message news:uWT0MZ54HHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Gary S. Terhune wrote: >> That's NOT correct. You can certainly log on to Administrator in Normal >> mode. I do it all the time. If you get the simple logon screen, press >> Ctrl-Alt-Del twice. >> > > > Then you're using WinXP Pro (or MCE), not WinXP Home, Gary. > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > 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
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Gary S. Terhune wrote: > Yup, realized that difference after the fact. One of those things that I > used to know that had fallen victim to CRS. > Have days like that myself. ;-} -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html 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
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Mine's chronic, and really bad since 2003 when I started having seizures, but actually getting better over the last few months. Thank meds for that. Now if I could only get those years back... -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message news:OIjBam54HHA.556@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > Gary S. Terhune wrote: >> Yup, realized that difference after the fact. One of those things that I >> used to know that had fallen victim to CRS. >> > > > Have days like that myself. ;-} > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > 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
Guest GO Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Bruce Chambers wrote: > GO wrote: >> Hello, >> >> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as this >> was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. During my >> configuration of the system I had noticed that I was locked out of >> the Administrator account, I believe the error message mentioned >> something about the system policies preventing this. This in itself >> is not really a problem as I just created my own "administrator" >> account. Is there anyway that someone could gain access to the >> system using the Administrator account or is the only way to use it >> is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure that the computer is locked >> down sufficiently especially against remote "attacks". >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Greg >> >> > > > By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of > WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. F > > Unless you've set the Administrator's password via the Management > Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's probably still blank. WinXP > Pro asks the user to set the Administrator's password during > installation, but WinXP Home doesn't. Thanks Bruce. Is the Administrator account visible in the Management Console? I'm sure I checked that when configuring the computer. I'll have to look into that when I get a chance to remote connect to his computer.
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... GO wrote: > > > Thanks Bruce. Is the Administrator account visible in the Management > Console? You're welcome. And, yes, WinXP Home's Administrator account is accessible via the MMC. (You have to be using an account with administrative privileges to affect any changes, of course.) -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html 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
Guest GO Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Bruce Chambers wrote: > GO wrote: >> >> >> Thanks Bruce. Is the Administrator account visible in the Management >> Console? > > > You're welcome. And, yes, WinXP Home's Administrator account is > accessible via the MMC. (You have to be using an account with > administrative privileges to affect any changes, of course.) Thanks again. As luck would have it I had an opportunity to use Remote Assitance to connect to his computer but I had no luck finding the Administrator acccount (or any other account for that matter) in MMC (I was connected with my own admin account). The Computer Management console had no user options. I tried adding the "Local users and groups" snap-in but it said it is not allowed in the Home version of XP. Are you sure I can access the Administrator account? Is there something I'm overlooking? Greg
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted August 22, 2007 Posted August 22, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... GO wrote: > > > Thanks again. As luck would have it I had an opportunity to use Remote > Assitance to connect to his computer but I had no luck finding the > Administrator acccount (or any other account for that matter) in MMC (I was > connected with my own admin account). The Computer Management console had > no user options. I tried adding the "Local users and groups" snap-in but it > said it is not allowed in the Home version of XP. Are you sure I can access > the Administrator account? Is there something I'm overlooking? > > You're right! Brain fade on my part; my apologies. Try Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes, natch). -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html 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
Guest Patrick Keenan Posted August 22, 2007 Posted August 22, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message news:OVqqgt34HHA.6024@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Patrick Keenan wrote: >> "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message >> news:e3UFuV34HHA.5852@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>> sillyputty wrote: >>>> On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: >>>>> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >>>>> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as >>>>> this was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. >>>>> During my configuration of the system I had noticed that I was >>>>> locked out of the Administrator account, I believe the error >>>>> message mentioned something about the system policies preventing >>>>> this. This in itself is not really a problem as I just created my >>>>> own "administrator" account. Is there anyway that someone could >>>>> gain access to the system using the Administrator account or is >>>>> the only way to use it is in Safe Mode? I just want to ensure >>>>> that the computer is locked down sufficiently especially against >>>>> remote "attacks". >>>> >>>> Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, >>>> most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat >>>> hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). >>>> Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE or >>>> Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest >>>> critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access to >>>> your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of windoze >>>> users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS has tried to >>>> address this in Vista with annoying results, from what I've read) he >>>> or she can do pretty much anything he/she wants. >>>> >>>> Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin >>>> (called 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever >>>> permissions_should_work. You can do most anything without going to >>>> super-user mode, BUT for mission critical uses super-user locks >>>> your computer down tight as a drum; besides Linux's normal mode >>>> being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. >>>> >>>> I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, while I >>>> was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a jokester and >>>> was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny names. But he just as >>>> easily could've seriously compromised my system. Since then I've >>>> never used IE (switched to Firefox), except when downloading MS >>>> updates (I keep a good watch on my firewall) and when testing >>>> webpages. The intruder has not gotten in since. >>> >>> Thanks for the reply "sillyputty". I am reasonably confident that >>> the machine is locked down. The user is not computer savy at all >>> and I have configured him to work with a limited (ie regular) user >>> account and he *is* >>> using Firefox. The firewall is set to deny access to anything other >>> than what I've already specified, and the personal administrator >>> account I made has a very strong password. My main concern lies >>> with the default Administrator account. I am unfamiliar with XP >>> Home and it appears that the >>> Administrator account is locked out for everything except for >>> accessing the >>> machine via safe mode. I just want to make sure this is the case >>> because there is no password on the account (at least not with one >>> that I have provided). >> >> That's correct. By design, the actual Administrator account for XP >> Home is *only* available in Safe Mode, and by default, it has no >> password. You can, of course, add one - and should. >> >> HTH >> -pk > > Thanks Patrick. Is there anyway to apply a password remotely (like if I > were to "remote assist" into the computer)? Only if you can remote assist in Safe Mode, which means you have a user log in in Safe Mode with Networking. > I didn't even see the > Administrator account listed in the "accounts applet". You can't get to it at all except in Safe Mode. > The computer is > 1500km away so I don't have direct access to it now. At the time I just > assumed that the Administrator account was completely locked out on XP > Home, > and I didn't have the time to research the issue while I was there. Since > the account is only available in Safe Mode it seems like a fairly low risk > to leave it as is until I visit again in a couple months. That may be a reasonable bet. HTH -pk > > Thanks again, > > > Greg > >
Guest GO Posted August 23, 2007 Posted August 23, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Bruce Chambers wrote: > GO wrote: >> >> >> Thanks again. As luck would have it I had an opportunity to use >> Remote Assitance to connect to his computer but I had no luck >> finding the Administrator acccount (or any other account for that >> matter) in MMC (I was connected with my own admin account). The >> Computer Management console had no user options. I tried adding the >> "Local users and groups" snap-in but it said it is not allowed in >> the Home version of XP. Are you sure I can access the Administrator >> account? Is there something I'm overlooking? >> >> > > > You're right! Brain fade on my part; my apologies. Try Start > Run > > "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes, natch). No worries, easy mistake. Hopefully I'll get a chance in the next couple of days to give this a try. Thanks again, Greg
Guest GO Posted August 23, 2007 Posted August 23, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Patrick Keenan wrote: > "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message > news:OVqqgt34HHA.6024@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >> Patrick Keenan wrote: >>> "GO" <aa533@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message >>> news:e3UFuV34HHA.5852@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >>>> sillyputty wrote: >>>>> On Aug 19, 7:48 pm, "GO" <aa...@remove.this.chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: >>>>>> I have just completed setting up XP Home for a friend and am just >>>>>> looking for some insight regarding the Administrator account as >>>>>> this was my first opportunity to setup the Home version of XP. >>>>>> During my configuration of the system I had noticed that I was >>>>>> locked out of the Administrator account, I believe the error >>>>>> message mentioned something about the system policies preventing >>>>>> this. This in itself is not really a problem as I just created >>>>>> my own "administrator" account. Is there anyway that someone >>>>>> could gain access to the system using the Administrator account >>>>>> or is the only way to use it is in Safe Mode? I just want to >>>>>> ensure that the computer is locked down sufficiently especially >>>>>> against remote "attacks". >>>>> >>>>> Though I'm not a Window's MVP, I do know something about security, >>>>> most of which I learned from hackers (the good guys, not black-hat >>>>> hackers or crackers, though you can learn much from them also). >>>>> Preventing attacks means using a good firewall, AV, NOT using IE >>>>> or Outlook/OL Express and keeping your OS patched with the latest >>>>> critical and security updates. Once an intruder has gained access >>>>> to your computer and you're running in admin mode - as 99% of >>>>> windoze users do because the non-admin mode is so crippled (MS >>>>> has tried to address this in Vista with annoying results, from >>>>> what I've read) he or she can do pretty much anything he/she >>>>> wants. >>>>> >>>>> Anyone who has experience with Linux understands how the admin >>>>> (called 'super-user' in Linux) v. lower lever >>>>> permissions_should_work. You can do most anything without going to >>>>> super-user mode, BUT for mission critical uses super-user locks >>>>> your computer down tight as a drum; besides Linux's normal mode >>>>> being_much_safer than XP's admin mode. >>>>> >>>>> I had someone getting into my computer, THROUGH my firewall, >>>>> while I was using Internet Explorer. Fortunately, he was just a >>>>> jokester and was changing the auto-fill info in IE to funny >>>>> names. But he just as easily could've seriously compromised my >>>>> system. Since then I've never used IE (switched to Firefox), >>>>> except when downloading MS updates (I keep a good watch on my >>>>> firewall) and when testing webpages. The intruder has not gotten >>>>> in since. >>>> >>>> Thanks for the reply "sillyputty". I am reasonably confident that >>>> the machine is locked down. The user is not computer savy at all >>>> and I have configured him to work with a limited (ie regular) user >>>> account and he *is* >>>> using Firefox. The firewall is set to deny access to anything >>>> other than what I've already specified, and the personal >>>> administrator account I made has a very strong password. My main >>>> concern lies with the default Administrator account. I am >>>> unfamiliar with XP Home and it appears that the >>>> Administrator account is locked out for everything except for >>>> accessing the >>>> machine via safe mode. I just want to make sure this is the case >>>> because there is no password on the account (at least not with one >>>> that I have provided). >>> >>> That's correct. By design, the actual Administrator account for XP >>> Home is *only* available in Safe Mode, and by default, it has no >>> password. You can, of course, add one - and should. >>> >>> HTH >>> -pk >> >> Thanks Patrick. Is there anyway to apply a password remotely (like >> if I were to "remote assist" into the computer)? > > Only if you can remote assist in Safe Mode, which means you have a > user log in in Safe Mode with Networking. > >> I didn't even see the >> Administrator account listed in the "accounts applet". > > You can't get to it at all except in Safe Mode. > >> The computer is >> 1500km away so I don't have direct access to it now. At the time I >> just assumed that the Administrator account was completely locked >> out on XP Home, >> and I didn't have the time to research the issue while I was there. >> Since the account is only available in Safe Mode it seems like a >> fairly low risk to leave it as is until I visit again in a couple >> months. > > That may be a reasonable bet. > > HTH > -pk > Thanks again for your assistance. I wouldn't be terribly concerned to leave it as is until my next visit, but with Bruce's latest offering I should be able to put a password on the account sooner. Cheers, Greg
Guest GO Posted August 26, 2007 Posted August 26, 2007 Re: administrator account on XP Home... Bruce Chambers wrote: > GO wrote: >> >> >> Thanks again. As luck would have it I had an opportunity to use >> Remote Assitance to connect to his computer but I had no luck >> finding the Administrator acccount (or any other account for that >> matter) in MMC (I was connected with my own admin account). The >> Computer Management console had no user options. I tried adding the >> "Local users and groups" snap-in but it said it is not allowed in >> the Home version of XP. Are you sure I can access the Administrator >> account? Is there something I'm overlooking? >> >> > > > You're right! Brain fade on my part; my apologies. Try Start > Run > > "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes, natch). Worked like a charm! Many thanks (again)! Cheers, Greg
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