| Many of the computers that are attached to the | | | | Why is this fact being mentioned, well it's because |
| Internet are infected with some sort of Spyware | | | | this is the main cause of Spyware and Virus |
| or Adware type applications. These applications | | | | infections on the majority of computers. Most |
| are designed to subject the user from anything | | | | computer owners are not even aware of this |
| from annoying pop up windows to the stealing of | | | | fact since the default accounts shipped on |
| people's identity. As time goes along these | | | | computers are usually in the Administrator's group. |
| programs will only become more advanced and | | | | This is by design since this reduces the amount of |
| will cause even more problems for Internet | | | | support calls the computer companies receive |
| Service Providers and System Administrators as | | | | because people can not perform a certain task |
| these programs advance in functionality and | | | | and they call for support as a result. If anyone |
| become even harder to detect. | | | | can perform any task then that reduces the |
| There is a simple measure you can take to | | | | chance they will need to call the support desk |
| prevent these programs from being able to | | | | which saves the computer company money. |
| access your system in the first place. Many | | | | There is no valid reason for the majority of users |
| experts recommend that you keep your system | | | | to ever need Administrator privileges to perform |
| updated and ensure you have the latest Virus and | | | | 90% of all tasks you will ever need to use your |
| Protection software up to date. You can even | | | | computer for accomplishing. You could just as |
| utilize a firewall, like the one that comes default | | | | effectively accomplish your daily tasks with an |
| with Windows XP, to combat these threats. | | | | account that only requires user permissions. If |
| These are great ideas, but there is something | | | | everyone would do this then Spyware can be |
| simpler you can do that will prove to be more | | | | eliminated and it would not be profitable for people |
| effective at combating Spyware than all of these | | | | to write these programs. The reason for this was |
| methods combined. This method is described as | | | | alluded to earlier. Since only the Administrator or |
| Lowest User Access or LUA. | | | | Power User Level accounts can install software |
| By default most home computers only ever have | | | | then at least one of these types of accounts is |
| one user account created and that is the account | | | | required for Spyware to install itself. If you are |
| that first came with the computer. This account | | | | not logged on under and account with these |
| known as Owner or Administrator or sometimes | | | | elevated privileges, then the spyware can not |
| even your name probably has Administrator | | | | install. This is a very easy protective measure to |
| privileges. What most do not know is an account | | | | take and you can implement it in just a few |
| with Administrator privileges is not needed for the | | | | minutes. Just right click My Computer and select |
| majority of tasks you perform on your | | | | manage. Then open up the users section and add |
| computer. These privileges are needed when you | | | | your self a new lowest access user to your |
| are setting up software or installing additional | | | | system and use that account to surf the net. You |
| hardware to your computer, but for simple | | | | can always log onto your computer with the |
| surfing the net and working in office applications | | | | Administrator account if you need to install |
| do not require near this level of access. | | | | something new. |