Is your User Account in Mac OS X Leopard Secure?

When you create a user's account you specify the information to prove the user's identity,such as userame ,user ID ,authentication method ,and password.These information is required by many services in your Mac which makes it less secure.

Basically ,some access details provided to the users accounts are listed below.

• Administrator: Full control over the computers configuration.
• System administrator(root): Unrestricted access to computer
• Guest Account: Restricted user access
• Standard Account: Non privileged user access
• Managed with Parental Controls: Restricted computer access
  

How to create a secure account?


Follow these key guidelines while creating a new user account:

1) If you are the administrator of the computer then , create another standard account for daily use and use the administrator account for administration purposes. By this you reduse the risk of accidentall
reconfiguring secure system preferences.

2) Use strong Authentication Password. You require passwords to log in ,to wake up the computer from sleep or from a screen saver,to install applications ,or change system settings.

Mac OS X provides Password Assistant, an application analyzes and generates a complex password for you. This feature appears when you click on the 'Key' button infront the 'Password' block.
You can choose from following types of password:

• Manual
• Memorable
• Letters & Numbers
• Numbers only
• Random
  

You can even use it to create passwords for other purpose.

3) Put a 'Password Hint'. Its important that you remember the password, but incase if you forget always keep a backup question or a hint to help.

4) Select FileVault Checkbox. Click on the option "Turn on FireVault Protection".
Mac OS X includes FileVault which encrypts information in your home folder and its files.


5) Never create account that are shared by several users. Each user should have his or her own Standard or Managed accounts. Individual accounts also help to keep a track of user's own folders.


Secure that Guest Account Too!

The guest account ,used to give a user temporary access to computer, is disabled by default. Because it does not require a password to log in, if this account is enabled and not secured it can be dangerous.

After enabling the account :

1) Enable parent controls. To limit what users can do, select parental control.You can manage its preferences. Parental Controls can also be used to secure Standard user accounts and Managed user accounts.

• System:only allow selected applications

• Content:Limit access to certain websites

• Mail & iChat: Limit Mail and iChat restricted to a specified list

• Time Limits: Limit computer use to certain hours a day/week

• Log: keep an eye on visited websites ,iChat logs,applications.

2)Deselect the "Allow guest to connect to shared folders" checkbox

3)When you finish with this account, disable it.

Securing Administrator Accounts

Each administrator should make two accounts:a standard account for daily purposes and the other for administrative purposes.
A user account with administration privileges can perform tasks such as:

• Creating user accounts

• Adding users to Admin group

• Installing system softwares

• Enable,or disable sharing firewall settings.

• Changing FileVault master password

I hope these advise would help you in making your Mac OS personal and safe.

Written by Avipar//

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