how many here run in Administrator mode 24/7

[Private Citizen]

Yeah just like the title states. I admit, I do in Windows but not Linux for some reason. It is a lot more simple for me for everyone here in my home network runs in Administrator. It is easier for them too. I know it's stupid.....but yeah. And why do you or don't you?

[ngk]

always admin in xp pro, hardly ever root in mandrake....dunno why i guess...

[cloaked]

same as private citezen
windows is just not set up for regular use as a non-admin

[finalgt]

I don't even have a user account in Win2k besides Administrator; I'm getting into a habit of constantly running as root under Fedora too, because most of the initial configuration changes that I've been making need to be made as root, and I leave it like that and go on to change little things like the icons on the desktop...so then when I log out and go into my own non-root account, the changes haven't been saved. So it's just easier to stay as root.

To the 15 people who are itching to inform me of the wrongness of such an act: Shut up. :)

[tim_m]

i'm the opposite. i have my own account in xp and always run as root on my linux server. [glove slap] i really need to fix that but i'm a lazy ass

actually i just had to login to the admin account the other day to fix some minor problems and i hadn't changed the admin's profile at all, it had all the xp eye candy and all.

[dc_firedrake]

Just like most others...

For single user use of Windows always run with Admin privies (not neccisarily the actaul Administrator account... which usually has no password on new machines ;) . But if there are more than 2 users on one machine go 1 Admin account for non-regular use and the rest have "guest" privies to keep them from f***ing the machine :p

In SuSE 9 I run a regular account and use sudo or su root to do any real work since Linux is so easily screwed over... :D

^_^
<SK>

[BillLeeLee]

I run an Admin-level account in Win XP, and leave the Admin account well alone unless I really need to use it.

In *nix though, I almost never use root, I just su from my restricted account.

[tdg]

In Windows I use an account that has administrator privelages because i'll always forget to "run as..." to install things or configure something, and loging in and out is a hassle. On my Linux/BSD machines I use an account thats a member of wheel, but still have to su to root. Using either administrator for Win or root for UN*X for just using the computer is generally a bad idea for either platform though :)

[tim_m]

i of course meant to note that my account in xp has administrative priviliges, in case it wasn't implied, it's just not the 'administrator' account

[hitman_forhire]

Well as an authoritive member and officer of the local lug, and an veteran of linux itself, I can tell you that you can only mess up as much as what you tinker with. So if you are running a linux machine, logged in as root, more that likely you'll be fine until you start jacking around, and then if you don't know what you're doing, you can possible damage all kinds of data and maybe even some files in the sysctl.conf [BSD's*] and just be in for a world of fun trying to undue the damage...

In my win2kPro box I do run admin 24/7 but as an experienced sys admin for both *nix, and win32 machines, I know how to keep myself out of trouble...

[nismo_r34]

I renamed my Administrator account, and use it.

[pbXassassinX1524]

I normally run under the admin privilages. But now that I think about it, it may be a good idea for me to make another account just for every day use.

[SKiTLz]

Originally posted by nismo_r34
I renamed my Administrator account, and use it.

Renaming doesn't help like most people think. The Admin account always has the same SID so its easy as pie to tell the Administrator account..

I run as a member of the Administrrators group also. XP Runas is clunky to say the least and its just a pain in the ass.. Not to mention the number of programs that have a hissy fit..

[SJConsultant]

Originally posted by SKiTLz
Renaming doesn't help like most people think. The Admin account always has the same SID so its easy as pie to tell the Administrator account..

Clearly that depends on the avenue of attack as to if the renamed account makes a difference. If all you have is say FTP,RDP, or Telnet access to a box, then it *would* make a huge difference since most crackers are going to try the admin account first.

[SKiTLz]

Originally posted by SJConsultant
Clearly that depends on the avenue of attack as to if the renamed account makes a difference. If all you have is say FTP,RDP, or Telnet access to a box, then it *would* make a huge difference since most crackers are going to try the admin account first. Yea and no. Alot of folks are tragetting the SID straight of the bat now. Alot of new tools will use the actual SID to root your box not the Username.

So yea it does depend on whos doin the hacking etc. Renaming will definately help against the script kiddies for the most part but not against most that know their stuff...

[SJConsultant]

Originally posted by SKiTLz
Yea and no. Alot of folks are tragetting the SID straight of the bat now. Alot of new tools will use the actual SID to root your box not the Username.

So yea it does depend on whos doin the hacking etc. Renaming will definately help against the script kiddies for the most part but not against most that know their stuff...

AFAIK You can't get the SID if the only open ports are services like RDP,FTP, or Telnet.

[StarWarsHater]

Ya same idea here as well:
Windows: users in administrator group (mulitple logins for different things, long story)
Linux: su/sudo from normal account

[XanTHraX]

Admin Priviledges on WinXP all the time, also dont have the Administrator account on at all anymore, I do have a backup account with Administrator priviledges though just incase.

[kleptophobiac]

I always run admin on my xp box, and always root on linux boxes? Why not? I'm always console mode anyway.

[FiZ]

I do. I don't even have a Guest account on, the only account is the Admin and it isn't even passworded. Four people use this computer too and I am the one who usually ends up fucking it up :p .