Lock down user access and privileges

The following tip is one of six steps to help you protect Windows systems from bi-modal attacks. Click to return to the main page.

Users should not be Administrators. Malware tends to execute with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. If the user did not have access to key system files and was not authorized to install software, the malware would be stopped dead in its tracks. Unfortunately in most cases, users do have Administrator privileges on their own machines, which means that malware executed under their privileges has carte blanche on the system as well.

Many users, particularly those in the executive suites, jump and holler when talk begins of removing or restricting their access to their own machines. For the sake of security, general access should be limited, but that is a tough, uphill battle which requires the support of senior leadership to have any chance of success.

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