Lab Notes

Here's a Wiki site devoted to running Windows applications without Administrator privileges. Running as an administrator at all times leaves your Windows machine open to a whole host of vulnerabilities. Most applications should not require these privileges — you don't need to be an administrator to create a spreadsheet or check your email. Still, many Windows users log in as an administrator every morning.

The problem is that every application that is launched by an administrator — whether intentionally or inadvertently, as in the case of trojans or other malware — runs as an administrator. Longhorn will have tools to help users protect themselves, but there are things that users can do today to protect themselves on XP.