What is the administrator password? What if I've never set it?

I have heard of the "administrator password" for a super-administrator.

But I have never "set" the "administrator password" or "super admin password".

I do, however, have a user account with admin privileges that I set a
password to.

Is that the same thing? Does my creating a user account with admin
privileges and password make the password for the super-admin the same, or
will the vista admin password still remain blank?

I'm wondering if this is the case, if a hacker tried to break into my system
to grab files, if I never set the administrator/super-admin password, does
that mean there is none, and they just walk right in,

or does it default to the password I have on my user account with admin
privileges?

Thank you again for your help!

 

Administrator password is blank
(meaning nothing) by default

Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, SBSC
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
Small Business Server/Computer Support - www.SBITS.Biz
Question or Second Opinion - www.PersonalITConsultant.com
BPOS - Microsoft Online Services - www.Microsoft-Online-Services.com

 

Also To Remote into your Box
You must have a Password

However remember the golden rule
If they have Physical access to your hardware
they have access...

If you allow Remote Desktop you will be required for a password
File sharing on your lan however not.

If this is a Desktop Your bigest threat is probably not inside your home
however.
It's malware.

Laptop, however you do need to be careful on what you share.

You can get free Microsoft AV for your home pc at
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, SBSC
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
Small Business Server/Computer Support - www.SBITS.Biz
Question or Second Opinion - www.PersonalITConsultant.com
BPOS - Microsoft Online Services - www.Microsoft-Online-Services.com

 

Thanks Russ, I'm using Vista but not sharing any folders at all on my
unsecured network.

However, could a hacker still access the hard drive's files if my admin
password is blank (since I never set the admin pw up), or even just another
way, even though I don't share any folders?

Or is it necessary for me to actually share the folder for them to even
access it?

Thank you for your help.

 

Thanks Russ, I'm using Vista but not sharing any folders at all on my
unsecured network.

However, could a hacker still access the hard drive's files if my admin
password is blank (since I never set the admin pw up), or even just another
way, even though I don't share any folders?

Or is it necessary for me to actually share the folder for them to even
access it?

Thank you for your help.

 

Thanks Russ, I'm using Vista but not sharing any folders at all on my
unsecured network.

However, could a hacker still access the hard drive's files if my admin
password is blank (since I never set the admin pw up), or even just another
way, even though I don't share any folders?

Or is it necessary for me to actually share the folder for them to even
access it?

Thank you for your help.

 

If this is a HOME PC Don't worry
unless you are trying to hid something from your Wife
(in which case Shame on you.)

If this is a work PC it should be in the Domain and controlled anyway.

If you have wifi make sure it's secure with TKIP not just WEP

To Re state
You can SHARE a folder with out passwords.
They can't access your Full HD without a password unless you shared it with
no password

if you want to REMOTE to a hard Drive without it being shared \\PC\C$ you
need to have a admin password enabled and configured.

So unless you have Hackers in your House, and your wifi is secure you are
relatively safe
Your bigest threat is Botnets and malware
A good AV will help

PS Security is a fine line between functional and security.
How Secure do you want to be? VS how Functional?

UBER Secure, hard to Function, jumping through Hoops
Uber Functional No Security, no hoops, no passwords etc.

But Unless you are trying to hide something you are good
If you are Still Paranoid.

When you see the Login Prompt
Do a Ctrl + Alt + Del and enter "Administrator"
Password blank
Then after you login as adminstrator.
do another Ctrl +alt + Del and change the password
then enter the Control panel / Users
and create Secure passwords for each user.

Oh and REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE!

Russ
Russ
--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, SBSC
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
Small Business Server/Computer Support - www.SBITS.Biz
Question or Second Opinion - www.PersonalITConsultant.com
BPOS - Microsoft Online Services - www.Microsoft-Online-Services.com

 

I just read
"Unsecured Network"
Please explain what you mean by this?

Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, SBSC
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
Small Business Server/Computer Support - www.SBITS.Biz
Question or Second Opinion - www.PersonalITConsultant.com
BPOS - Microsoft Online Services - www.Microsoft-Online-Services.com

 

Thanks Russ, to answer your question I meant I did not set any password on my
router, no wpa or wep, it's just totally unsecured. I will secure it but am
paranoid now that somebody hacked in and stole my files.

You said, "if you want to REMOTE to a hard Drive without it being shared
\\PC\C$ you need to have a admin password enabled and configured."

Does that mean if the administrator account on my computer was never
enabled, instead just a user account with admin rights, could they log on to
the
never enabled admin account with the default blank password vista gives it,
and just access my hard drive?

Thanks Russ,

 

Secure your WiFi
NOW
and you should be ok
Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz [SBS-MVP]
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, SBSC
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist
Small Business Server/Computer Support - www.SBITS.Biz
Question or Second Opinion - www.PersonalITConsultant.com
BPOS - Microsoft Online Services - www.Microsoft-Online-Services.com

 

I don't see how. There's no such thing as a "super-administrator."
All user accounts with administrative permissions are equal.

By "administrator password" are you referring to that of Vista's
built-in local Administrator account? If so, that password is blank, by
default.

No, it's not the same thing, but it will enable you to perform the same
tasks. (The built-in Administrator account, for instance, cannot be
deleted, whereas any other use-created accounts can be.)

Your creating another account with administrative permissions would
have absolutely no effect upon the built-in local Administrator account.
Naturally, it also cannot effect the mythical, non-existent
"super-administrator."

Ignoring your continued references to the mythical, non-existent
"super-administrator," yes, leaving the built-in Administrator account
without a password is a very severe security vulnerability. Anyone who
is going to what to hack/crack into a system will know the default
account name and password. This is why the standard security practice
is to rename the built-in Administrator account, set a strong password
on it, and use it only to create another accounts for regular use,
reserving the Administrator account as a "back door" in case something
corrupts your regular account(s).

No. Accounts don't share passwords, unless you deliberately set the
passwords to be the same. (This is another very bad thing to do,
security-wise, by the way.)


--

Bruce Chambers

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