From Leo's mailbag:
> From: A Computer User
> Sent: October 23, 2007
> To: Ask Leo!
> Subject: Re: [Fwd: Ask Leo Question] - If software can be installed as a limited
>
> Leo,
> When running as a limited user on XP, is it possible to install software
> that requires registry access and edit capabilities? Before today, I
> thought the answer was no but I just installed Google Earth from a
> limited user account, which made XP registry changes during the
> installation process. Google Earth runs like a champ but now I'm
> concerned if "limited user" mode really protects against malware. Is
> "limited user" protection still a valid concept? Jim
It *really* depends on the software.
Different areas within the registry have different levels of protection,
so registry modification is not an all-or-nothing kind of thing.
Limited User prevents things like the operating system itself from being
modified, but certainly some applications can still be installed. It's
just much more difficult install or hide malware, which typically wants
to install into places that limited users cannot.
--
Thanks for asking,
Leo Notenboom
Article 1673
| Category:
Windows
