is vista + ie7 protected mode same as running in limited user account?

[james]

When I use ie7 in vista in an administrator account, it says protected mode
is on. Is this equivalent to running the browser in a limited user account?
And does that mean no virus/malware can infect my PC even if I accidentally
click on a malicious URL?

 

[FromTheRafters]

When I use ie7 in vista in an administrator account, it says protected
mode is on. Is this equivalent to running the browser in a limited
user account? And does that mean no virus/malware can infect my PC
even if I accidentally click on a malicious URL?

No, you should still use limited accounts for surfing.