Reformat Computer

[Guest]

My computer is so full of junk, I want to reformat it from the backed up
Recovery CD I created when it was new.
When I get it loaded back the way I want it, I was thinking I would setup
three or four Users on My computer and Not use administrator for anything.
I have online bill pay and My banking accounts that I would like to make
as one of the Users, This account would have to have access to the Internet.
Then another User would be setup for My programs like CorelDraw for
cutting to My plotter, all of My Video Editing and Burning software, and
other Brand Name software I have, I don't think I would have to give them
access to the Internet.
Then I would setup a User account for Internet Browsing only sites I know
are good.
Then the last User for any Internet Browsing that could harm My computer.
Now heres the kicker :say if I use the Internet Browsing User that accesses
anything on the Internet, Could it affect the other user I created.

Thank You
Ronnie

 

[db]

i don't think
that making several
users will be of any benefit
especially in regards to
securing your private data.

i can't imagine one person
logging and unlogging into
different accounts to use
different programs all located
on one pc. If you were going
to use 4 different/separate pc's
and each had only certain programs,
then your idea would be somewhat
substantiated.

in regards to the accumulation
of junk, this is common. Download
a program like systemmechanic and
run all the features. There are
other ways to clean the system as
well.

if you are experiencing some
form of degradation that would
greatly improve with a clean install
of the operating system, then you
will likely recontaminate the new
install eventually. But i am
only guessing this is what you
are experiencing...

- db
My computer is so full of junk, I want to reformat it from the backed up
Recovery CD I created when it was new.
When I get it loaded back the way I want it, I was thinking I would setup
three or four Users on My computer and Not use administrator for anything.
I have online bill pay and My banking accounts that I would like to make
as one of the Users, This account would have to have access to the Internet.
Then another User would be setup for My programs like CorelDraw for
cutting to My plotter, all of My Video Editing and Burning software, and
other Brand Name software I have, I don't think I would have to give them
access to the Internet.
Then I would setup a User account for Internet Browsing only sites I know
are good.
Then the last User for any Internet Browsing that could harm My computer.
Now heres the kicker :say if I use the Internet Browsing User that accesses
anything on the Internet, Could it affect the other user I created.

Thank You
Ronnie

 

[Patrick Keenan]

My computer is so full of junk, I want to reformat it from the backed up
Recovery CD I created when it was new.
When I get it loaded back the way I want it, I was thinking I would setup
three or four Users on My computer and Not use administrator for anything.
I have online bill pay and My banking accounts that I would like to make
as one of the Users, This account would have to have access to the
Internet.
Then another User would be setup for My programs like CorelDraw for
cutting to My plotter, all of My Video Editing and Burning software, and
other Brand Name software I have, I don't think I would have to give them
access to the Internet.
Then I would setup a User account for Internet Browsing only sites I know
are good.
Then the last User for any Internet Browsing that could harm My computer.
Now heres the kicker :say if I use the Internet Browsing User that
accesses
anything on the Internet, Could it affect the other user I created.

Thank You
Ronnie

Are you the only physical user? There are a number of reasons for
allowing internet access to more of the programs, in particular updates.
And it's a useful resource.

But if you're going to go to sites that are potentially harmful from any
account, and download from them, yes, this can affect the entire system, so
your compartmentalisation scheme has a basic flaw and just makes system use
less convenient. It doesn't make it much safer. Most smarter malware
will simply spread as you log into other accounts.

It's probably a better idea to either use physically different systems if
you need a secure work system, or to set up proper firewalls and A/V
programs, clean it up regularly, and be aware of potential threats as you
use the system. And back it up so that you can recover quickly.

HTH
-pk

 

[Val]

Ron,
As others noted, your scheme will not really provide the protection yous
seek.

A tactic that might be more appropriate is to install one or more "virtual
PCs". Use one for the less safe internet activity - if it gets compormised,
you delete the files that comprise that "machine" and revert back to a clean
version.

MS now provided its virtualization program for free:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx

Note that this needs a physical machine that's up to the task - at least 1GB
RAM, decent processor, and sufficient free disk space. But it's not hard to
do.

Val