Internet Access From Limited Accounts

[Guest]

I originally set up my computer with several administrator accounts, but I
read somewhere that you should not access the internet from an administrator
account.

What I want to do is change one of my administrator accounts to a limited
account so that I can use that account to access the internet.

The problem is, that whenever I change an account from an administrator
account(which is configured succesfully to connect to the internet) to
limited account, I can no longer gain access to the internet.

Seems like a catch 22 situation Does it really matter if you connect to the
internet from a administrator account?

I am using XP SP2, can anyone offer me any advice?

Thankyou
Ant

 

[Guest]

I should have added to my original post that I am using a broadband
connection, connecting via the Local Area Network adaptor.

 

[Abel Diaz]

The reason you have heard that you shouldn't connect to
the Internet with an administrator account is because
that poses a security risk. An administrator account has
full/unrestricted access to the whole system. Therefore,
if you contract a virus/worm/trojan while online, that
infection will also have unrestricted access to your
whole system. I personally use an account with admin
privileges but I have my firewall turned on, an antivirus
program running(updated daily), and I never download
anything I didn't ask for. It's really up to you whether
or not you feel you are comfortable enough to use an
administrator account online. Hope this helps.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Start>Control Panel>User Accounts>Change a User Account

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately this doesn't answer the problem. I have been doing this and
changing an account from administrator to limited prevents me from gaining
access to the Internet.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info Abel. It seems strange that Microsoft have made it
'difficult' to configure a limited account to access the internet given the
information you have provided about the potential effects of viruses on the
system etc.

I am in a similar situation to you in that I have a firewall installed, and
have a similar attitude toward downloading. I just thought it would be
prudent to close every possible avenue of vulnerability.

Perhaps Microsoft should consider providing the choice of more user account
types configureable by the administrator, i.e. 'limited with internet access'.

 

[TonyS]

ant_e wrote:
: Unfortunately this doesn't answer the problem. I have been doing
: this and changing an account from administrator to limited prevents
: me from gaining access to the Internet.
:
: "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
:
:: Start>Control Panel>User Accounts>Change a User Account

Does your broadband connect have monitor program running? If you provide
some info you may find some help.
TonyS

 

[Guest]

No monitor program just the standard Windows Local Area Connection to
open/close and check the status of the connection.

As far as I am aware the only thing that changes between the connection is
working and when it is not is the account status. I don't delete or move any
files or re-configure my connection in any way.

 

[TonyS]

ant_e wrote:
: No monitor program just the standard Windows Local Area Connection to
: open/close and check the status of the connection.
:
: As far as I am aware the only thing that changes between the
: connection is working and when it is not is the account status. I
: don't delete or move any files or re-configure my connection in any
: way.

Ok. Just checking. Windows does permit limited accounts access to the
internet. Have you posted any networking or connectivity newsgroups?
TonyS
:
: "TonyS" wrote:
:
:: ant_e wrote:
::: Unfortunately this doesn't answer the problem. I have been doing
::: this and changing an account from administrator to limited prevents
::: me from gaining access to the Internet.
:::
::: "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
:::
:::: Start>Control Panel>User Accounts>Change a User Account
::
:: Does your broadband connect have monitor program running? If you
:: provide some info you may find some help.
:: TonyS