Every Microsoft and most recent Apple operating systems offer some type of user
accountability, but not always security in separating and protecting the access to data
on a per-user basis. Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Vista all offer this protection, and it
comes in pretty handy at times.
Having separate user accounts forms the basis of determining how much control
each user has over the resources on a computer, and to some extent how much damage
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or good they can do to the files and programs. User accounts typically take on one of
three levels of control, privilege, and rights on a computer system:
User A User-level user account can manage their own documents and files,
but cannot manipulate the files of others, add or remove printers or other
hardware, or install or remove programs.
Power User A Power User??“level user account can install printers, programs,
and so forth but cannot manipulate other user accounts or do serious
harm to the computer or file system.
Administrator An Administrator-level user account can do everything??”to
some extent, even control other users??™ documents.
Best practices dictate that no one be an Administrator-level user for day-to-day
work, but many of us are. Access to the Administrator level gives ultimate power to
people, viruses, hackers, and malware. If you are concerned about security and must
administer one or more computers, set up two accounts??”one as User or Power User
for day-to-day work, and another separate account as an Administrator-level user to
control the system completely.
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