XP privacy and multiple accounts

I run XP pro, and have 2 accounts (both admins) on my system (mine and the origainal as set up by XP)

I have noticed that the activity light of my cable modem is very active even when I havent got past the log in screen.
Also the activity light seems active to much even when logged in and firewall running and blocking anything that asks to send out ( I have returned to Sygate personal firewall )

What I would like to know is .... are their any privacy/security implications prior to logging in ?
And is their any way or issues regarding the non logged in user and un controlled access?

Any help would be appreciated, even down to how to remove the original "administrator" as put there by XP.
(I should just say I set up my account as an admin simply because there was no way I could see of changing the name "administrator " to one of my choosing)

Cheers

 

Hi Kentish,

I think this should help in easing your worries:
http://is-it-true.org/nt/xp/registry/rtips21.shtml

This discussion has some pro's and cons about removing the Default Admin account.

In the end it's obviously your choice.

Regards,

Pieter

 

Hello,

Don't remove the original Admin account which is create at install but rename it (no need for anybody but you to know which accounts are admin and which are not ) and use a strong pwd : it can be really handy if your own admin profile would be corrupted for instance.
It would be wise to create another account with restricted rights to connect to the W3 : no need to be connected as Admin, could be dangerous if hacked. If somebody hack you when connected with restricted rights he has only the rights of the connected account.
According to a strict security policy for limited accounts, nearly no harm might be done.

Rgds,

 

But do the other accounts have net access? Or can the security of my pc be compromised by these other not active accounts?

Any answers would be helpful for my ever so slight paranoia/lack of understanding.

Cheers

 

Hello,

The accounts have net access too (unless you disallow it) but only when you open a session with an account. If you don't open a session with an account and all accounts have a strong pwd, you are much safer with a restricted rights account which may not install anything than with an ademin account which can do anything.

Rgds,