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What kind of account(s) do you use for you Mac?

What kind of account(s) do you use on your Mac?

  • Administrator

    Votes: 61 92.4%

  • Standard

    Votes: 15 22.7%

  • Managed with Parental Controls

    Votes: 2 3.0%

  • Sharing only

    Votes: 3 4.5%
  • Total voters
    66
spinnerlys

spinnerlys

Guest
Original poster
Sep 7, 2008
14,328
7
forlod bygningen
Hello.

After reading the comments on AI about the article that Macs are safer than Windows (link, it sprung to my mind, if I'm safe using my admin account all the time.

I know nothing bad should happen unless I enter my password without thought and install some malicious software.

So what kind of account(s) do you use for your Mac, and what do you use regularly/most of the time?


And should I consider using the admin account for just installing software or maintenance, and run the rest of the time my Mac via a Standard account?
 
I have an admin account, but only use my standard account. It requires entering my user name and password a bit more, but it's a little more secure. I try not to be complacent with security, even if Mac is safer. I use FileVault, the firewall, Stealth mode, and have virus software installed among other security settings.
 
I'm bad about that, I use an admin account full time. I still feel safe because I don't do stupid things like installing things I never heard of before. I do run the firewall and stealth mode but I have run into too many issues with FileVault so I let that go.
 
I have an admin account that I do not use day-to-day, my own user account (non-admin), my girlfriends user account (non-admin) and the guest account enabled for anyone else who wants to use the machine.
 
I have an administrator account I use for regular things. I know how to recognize malware and avoid it, so I'm not too concerned... however, I may switch to a dual Standard/Admin setup when Snow Leopard comes out.
 
You forgot to mention root. I'm sure there are some that only use the superuser. Thus you could move stuff around in your system folder with less hassle. So it is a bit higher than an admin.

I use admin with no password.
 
Since I have two Macs, and a linux box, I kinda do everything in the administrative and command line.

I do have one sharing account, but it's actually another administrative account, just for the security.
 
robbieduncan said:
I have an admin account that I do not use day-to-day, my own user account (non-admin), my girlfriends user account (non-admin) and the guest account enabled for anyone else who wants to use the machine.
Click to expand...
This is how I have it, except with an account for my wife, but not girlfriend.
 
I use admin almost exclusively. I tried using a standard for everyday functions(I have a couple set up), but it seemed like I was getting asked for a password every five minutes. I don't even know a root password, honestly.
 
Accounts

OK, noob here - I'm a long time Linux guy so I know the diff between root, etc. "Admin" on OSX is basically a user with the ability to use sudo and a "standard" user is not, correct? I am running a single admin account, but would feel better running a standard account. I am assuming I would need to create another account, set it as admin and make mine "non-admin", right? What dialog am I presented with when I try to perform an action that requires an account with admin privledges: username and password challange for an admin account?

Sorry for the 20 questions, now I know how Linux noobs must feel...:rolleyes:
 
paul.opensource said:
OK, noob here - I'm a long time Linux guy so I know the diff between root, etc. "Admin" on OSX is basically a user with the ability to use sudo and a "standard" user is not, correct? I am running a single admin account, but would feel better running a standard account. I am assuming I would need to create another account, set it as admin and make mine "non-admin", right? What dialog am I presented with when I try to perform an action that requires an account with admin privledges: username and password challange for an admin account?
Click to expand...

You pretty much got it. Standard accounts are not in the sudoers file, so if you want to perform a privileged task you will need to enter an admin's user name and password. The dialog is the same as what you see when running as an admin, with the exception that the Username field is not pre-populated with any value.
 
ElectricSheep said:
You pretty much got it. Standard accounts are not in the sudoers file, so if you want to perform a privileged task you will need to enter an admin's user name and password. The dialog is the same as what you see when running as an admin, with the exception that the Username field is not pre-populated with any value.
Click to expand...

Excellent, thanks for the response. I'll try that when I get home. I always su to root in a terminal on my Linux box so removing admin on my OSX user would be about the same. Root is not enabled on my OSX box and this is the preferred method way to run the system, correct?
 
Well, total of 3, but only one you can just hop into the desktop for, which would be my user/admin account. I've never felt overly unsafe with the Admin account, most of the directories it can write to are trivial, like the wallpapers folder. The rest of the power is just from it's ability to sudo, which is something I can worry about on my own. (Note: I do have auto-locking-preference-panes turned on, and auto-login disabled. I'm not that brave).

There's also the guest account, but that is sharing only. Lastly, root, who does have a password, but logging in using it is disabled. I just set the account up in case I need it.
 
Home iMac: One admin account, with no password (for me) and one standard user with no password (for my wife). I also have the root enabled as one cannot 'sudo' with a passwordless admin account.

Macbook that I use for home and work: One admin account with a password. I tend to be a little more careful on that one in case it is stolen.
 
cmcbridejr said:
You do not worry about the breach of security if your MacBook gets stolen?
Click to expand...

I don't worry about, since my computer never leaves my home office (or exceedingly rarely). It would be more of a bother than a nuisance. If I need to turn it on, it's easy enough.
 
ElectricSheep said:
You pretty much got it. Standard accounts are not in the sudoers file, so if you want to perform a privileged task you will need to enter an admin's user name and password. The dialog is the same as what you see when running as an admin, with the exception that the Username field is not pre-populated with any value.
Click to expand...

Works like a charm - I set up another admin user and made my primary user non-admin. The dialog prompt is nothing more than I get on *nix asking me to su to root. I am quite used to that...

Thanks again!
 
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