Improving Windows desktop security - the 'Non-Admin' Project
From 16 January 2006, Windows XP NICE installations (both new computers installed and old computers re-installed) will no longer grant administrative privileges by default to the main user or to the person responsible for the computer.
Administrative privileges allow the user to perform administrative actions on the computer, such as installing new applications or changing system settings. Until now, these privileges have been enforced each time machines are rebooted, but this creates a risk of compromising the computer every time a code from an unknown source (e.g. e-mail attachments or web browsing) is executed.
So that users can continue to install software and change system settings on their computers, a shortcut called 'NiceAdmin' in the Start | Programmes menu will offer a means of performing certain tasks requiring administrative privileges, but only on demand. Users with valid reasons to be a permanent administrator for their machine will still have this option. However, users wishing to benefit from this increased security proactively without reinstalling their computer can already sign up for the project. More information and the enrollment procedure can be found at
The NICE team
by NICE Team