1. Adding an administrative user
One of the first steps we can take to ensure the security of our computer is to add an administrative user account.
This account will be used whenever we need to make changes to the installed software or add/remove programs or hardware. For everyday use we will limit the power of our user account. This will prevent us from doing too much damage should we make a mistake and it will limit the damage a program that we run can do.
From the Start Menu select Control Panel
In the Control Panel, select User Accounts
In the User Accounts dialog, click Create a new account (the second option under "Pick a task ...")
We now need to enter a name for this administrative user. We cannot use the name "Administrator", as that is a reserved name for the system administrator account which was set up during installation. I use the name "Admin", although you can use any name you like.
Once you'e entered the name in the box provided, click Next
We now have to set the account type. In Windows XP there are two user account types. There are administrator accounts and normal user accounts. This will be an administrator account, so select "Computer administrator" before clicking Create Account
We now have an administrative account that we can use for day-to-day administration of our system.
It is vitally important to set a password on this account to prevent its misuse. From the Control Panel click on the Admin icon under "or pick an account to change"
In the dialog that's presented next click on Create a password
Enter the password for the Admin user in the box labelled "Type a new password:", then type it again in the box labelled "Type the new password again to confirm:".
If you wish you can enter a hint which may be used to give you a clue to the password should you forget it.
Once this information has been entered click Create Password.
You now have an administrative user with a password protected account, the first step to securing your computer is complete. You should log off and then log on to this account, entering your password when prompted.
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