I have a MBA (M1, 2020). I admit I'm a bit paranoid, but I couldn't help but wonder, would creating another user account that I use solely for logging onto my bank account make me any safer, or would it be redundant and overkill? I'm very safe when it comes to my online practices (I don't really download anything other than updates - which are done automatically from Apple for the most part; I have zero extensions on my browsers; and I don't go into any shady sites). But from a technical standpoint, if a particular user gets infected with malware or a virus, would the other user account be safe and isolated?
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Having another user account for security purposes.
- Thread starter otherguy5
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Not really safer in my opinion.
Depends on whether the virus or malware has elevated privileges on the system.
There is no simple answers to your questions as computer security is a complicated topic. Sounds like your computing behavior and habits should reduce the risk of compromise significantly.
With regards to user profiles, the only habit that would make you “safer” would be to use a non Admin user ID for day to day tasks.
Only use the Admin user and/or password if and when you are making system changes.
All of that said, I’ve never bothered with doing this myself.
I am just careful, and most of all I never, ever, ever install dubious or ‘cracked’ software.
Only use the Admin user and/or password if and when you are making system changes.
All of that said, I’ve never bothered with doing this myself.
I am just careful, and most of all I never, ever, ever install dubious or ‘cracked’ software.
And even that matters less on a Mac or Linux machine where sudo/root operations require entering the admin password and is more rarely needed that on windows where you almost need to run everything as admin and can do it trivially