Vista - User Account Control, Security

I am the only user of my computer - do I really need UAC enabled?
With Windows Defender and firewall protection do I really need third-party
antivirus and firewall?

> I am the only user of my computer - do I really need UAC enabled?

Yes. It has nothing to do with protecting you from other users on your
computer. It is about ensuring that you do not have to be an administrator
all the time. When you run as an admin the slightest misclick can spell
disaster.

> With Windows Defender and firewall protection do I really need third-party
> antivirus and firewall?

Anti-virus, yes. Firewall, no. The firewall in Windows is perfectly
adequate, but Windows has no built-in anti-virus.

---
Your question may already be answered in Windows Vista Security:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047...otectyourwi-20

"CJ Rom" <CJ Rom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:065E3A8A-57C0-4A9D-9D28-ABA583191B32@microsoft.com...
>I am the only user of my computer - do I really need UAC enabled?
> With Windows Defender and firewall protection do I really need third-party
> antivirus and firewall?

I may be committing a "mortal sin" according to many other users, but I
haven't used any antivirus product on my XP and Vista PCs since I got them!
I don't click on email attachments, I only download files from known,
reputable web sites (CNet, MS, etc), and I don't go to web sites that might
be problematic. Vista Defender is a good product and I do an online virus
scan every week or so (from Symantec). I run Spybot and AdAware. The
result is that both systems run fast and smooth. AND............. I always
download Windows Updates when they arrive.

EW

Jesper wrote:
>> I am the only user of my computer - do I really need UAC enabled?
>
> Yes. It has nothing to do with protecting you from other users on your
> computer. It is about ensuring that you do not have to be an administrator
> all the time. When you run as an admin the slightest misclick can spell
> disaster.

Or no misclick.
Your software might contain a vulnerability which can be attacked. If
it's not running as an administrator, you don't have serious problems.

Alun Harford

"LoneStar" <ewyatt_del_me@excite.com> wrote in message
news:461fee66$0$97253$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net...

> I may be committing a "mortal sin" according to many other users, but I
> haven't used any antivirus product on my XP and Vista PCs since I got
> them!

To be honest, I have often run without antivirus and been problem-free
myself, however that would be very poor advice to give out to others who
from the fact they're asking about basic things are clearly not going to be
in the same position of awareness to judge risks for themselves properly.

> I don't click on email attachments, I only download files from known,
> reputable web sites (CNet, MS, etc), and I don't go to web sites that
> might be problematic.

It's worth pointing out that the thing about trusted sites is that you trust
them not to *intentionally* send you infected downloads. Same with email
attatchments from friends (I assume you'll concede that while you don't have
to open these apparently, you are not the entire world and some of us *do*
have to open some sometimes).

You can trust someone not to hurt you intentionally, and that trust might be
very well placed, but even the best have accidents and bad days. Microsoft
have offered virus infected documents for download before now, for example.

--
Robert Moir
http://www.rhymeswithgeek.com

I'm Sorry but I can't find where to post a question but this is related to
user account. I have had 3 user accounts for some time now but suddenly when
I click on switch user nothing happens. when I use short cut 'windows+L'
I get this message Computer is in use and has been locked. User name is ok
Then it asks for password but doesn't accept any. When I "restart" and get
back to main page I click on a different user account and it works

"Robert Moir" wrote:

>
> "LoneStar" <ewyatt_del_me@excite.com> wrote in message
> news:461fee66$0$97253$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net...
>
> > I may be committing a "mortal sin" according to many other users, but I
> > haven't used any antivirus product on my XP and Vista PCs since I got
> > them!
>
> To be honest, I have often run without antivirus and been problem-free
> myself, however that would be very poor advice to give out to others who
> from the fact they're asking about basic things are clearly not going to be
> in the same position of awareness to judge risks for themselves properly.
>
> > I don't click on email attachments, I only download files from known,
> > reputable web sites (CNet, MS, etc), and I don't go to web sites that
> > might be problematic.
>
> It's worth pointing out that the thing about trusted sites is that you trust
> them not to *intentionally* send you infected downloads. Same with email
> attatchments from friends (I assume you'll concede that while you don't have
> to open these apparently, you are not the entire world and some of us *do*
> have to open some sometimes).
>
> You can trust someone not to hurt you intentionally, and that trust might be
> very well placed, but even the best have accidents and bad days. Microsoft
> have offered virus infected documents for download before now, for example.
>
> --
> Robert Moir
> http://www.rhymeswithgeek.com
>
>
>

"CJ Rom" <CJ Rom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:065E3A8A-57C0-4A9D-9D28-ABA583191B32@microsoft.com...
>I am the only user of my computer - do I really need UAC enabled?

Not if you're confident that you know what you're doing.


> With Windows Defender and firewall protection do I really need third-party
> antivirus and firewall?

Most definitely on the anti-virus, as Windows Defender has no anti-virus
capability. I'd also suggest using 3rd-party AntiSpyware applications, as
Windows Defender really isn't "ready for prime time," yet. Same for the
firewall.


--
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

<grin>

Did you know that even Microsoft pushed out an update a few years back that
contained a virus.

How about the Symantec antivirus update that contained a trojan (about a
year ago).

You just "think" you are safe.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

"LoneStar" <ewyatt_del_me@excite.com> wrote in message
news:461fee66$0$97253$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net...
>
> "CJ Rom" <CJ Rom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:065E3A8A-57C0-4A9D-9D28-ABA583191B32@microsoft.com...
>>I am the only user of my computer - do I really need UAC enabled?
>> With Windows Defender and firewall protection do I really need
>> third-party
>> antivirus and firewall?
>
> I may be committing a "mortal sin" according to many other users, but I
> haven't used any antivirus product on my XP and Vista PCs since I got
> them! I don't click on email attachments, I only download files from
> known, reputable web sites (CNet, MS, etc), and I don't go to web sites
> that might be problematic. Vista Defender is a good product and I do an
> online virus scan every week or so (from Symantec). I run Spybot and
> AdAware. The result is that both systems run fast and smooth.
> AND............. I always download Windows Updates when they arrive.
>
> EW
>
>

On Sat, 14 Apr 2007 02:40:58 -0400, "Richard Urban"
<richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote:

>You just "think" you are safe.

And when using "security products" you think you are more safe.

"Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23FHtb$lfHHA.3648@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> <grin>
>
> Did you know that even Microsoft pushed out an update a few years back
> that contained a virus.
>
> How about the Symantec antivirus update that contained a trojan (about a
> year ago).
>
> You just "think" you are safe.
>

You're correct, and I should probably talk myself into installing AVAST, or
something like it. However, I've read many times that none of the AV
programs can catch ALL "in the field" viruses and only a minority of
zero-day types, heuristics used or not. But the odds are better with an AV
app running -- and slowing the system down, etc. However, in any case, I
will NEVER use anything made by Symantec (Norton)!!! Ever. I once did and
it still haunts my XP registry despite many attempts to uninstall it, even
with Symantec's own cleaning tools.

EW