>>>> "so many advanced user tweaks that anytime I need to change or fix something I have to spend huge amounts of time hunting for answers and fixes. False positives have become a regular occurrence. Please recommend something more user friendly and basic, thanks." Linux, and especially for a new to Linux user, it's LinuxMint Oh yeah,,,, and the OS itself and all the included software is....oh yeah, Free............. Remember too, If you go with a Linux solution for an ACTUALLY EFFECTIVE solution, you'll for all practical purposes, never be bothered by "security" issues and "AV" costs and issues ever again http://www.pathfindersfarm.com Here is a link that might be useful: A REAL A/V &

Huge business this data-mining. The funny thing is I read about it in a novel, I think either Dean Koontz or David Baldacci, most likely the latter but I can't be for sure. These people, if they wish, can destroy not only your credit, but your life itself....implenting you into many illegal enterprises.....kiddo porn, etc. that you have had nothing to do with, but when they can access your computer info they can inject whatever they want to implicate you. Very scary stuff and enough to make you want to escape to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Of course at that point they may make you into the new 'unibomber' and screw up that persona. Okay, most of this is total paranoia.....the likelihood it could happen to you, as a normal citizen is slight....but it could happen. This is a crazy age we live in. I really think the old days were better and I suppose every generation says that....but the days of yore were simpler and I really sometimes wish we never had computers, cell phones, etc. We need more people-to-people contact. Enough said. Duane

Hi, snidely, I appreciate the continued food for thought re: my Windows user account password situation. :-) :-) OTOH, I'm not sure your comments reflect the conventional wisdom (at least in the online articles I've been reading, as I try to keep an open mind about these things): 1. Just because "anyone wishing entry can easily enter" doesn't mean one should make it easy for the attackers. "Anyone wishing entry can easily enter" your home and/or car as well. Are you saying you yourself, therefore, never lock your car doors or the door and windows of your home ? Are you saying your email account password is "password" ? Most people say, "Make it as hard as possible for the hackers to get at your information." I tend to agree. 2. You're right -- I don't back up my phone conversations. But not backing up emails goes against just about everything I've ever read on basic email safety/security. We all have emails that we would surely not miss if they were gone for good. Apparently, none of yours is very important. You may be one of those "read and delete" types of email readers. That's fine. (In fact, that's the way I am with my RSS feeds.) But... many other people have important information in email messages, in saved online files, etc. That's why such online services as Google, Hotmail/Skydrive, etc. have such large storage to begin with, no ?.... So that people can keep things they want/need to keep. And the email companies themselves back up your email as a precaution and advise users to do the same (via forwarding to second account, using offline client, etc.). 3. I'm not so much concerned about someone getting by Aunt Helen's email address as I am someone hacking into my account and using my email address to send something to her (virus, porn, phishing email, etc.). If my contacts see a message coming from me (or presumably so), they're more likely to open it. That could spell trouble. Again, it's a matter of basic precautions against stuff we don't want to deal with. And that's another reason why I'm moving in the direction of having all my contacts/emails offline.... so that anyone getting into my online webmail account/interface will find nothing there to work with: no contact addresses, no emails stored, no online files, etc. Everything will be offline and backed up further on CD. 4. I'm not so sure the myriads of people who have had their email accounts compromised, emails deleted, contacts bombarded with spam, porn, virus-laden emails, etc. -- and many of whom have written about the nightmare of trying to recover the account -- and the emails) -- would call it all a "slight inconvenience." Again, Mat Honan's recent experience is frightening, and so are the stories of many others. Anyway, I truly appreciate your perspective. I always want to hear the different sides of an issue so I know I'm not missing an 'angle' on whatever I'm thinking about. :-) Btw.... how did you know I have an Aunt Helen ? ;-)

This I can do as I have to often. As bob414 stated, log on as yourself (Administrator) and go to Control Panel. User Accounts and click on Change an Account. Click on the user and change them to Administrator. Just don't forget to switch it back after they do 'whatever.' Jane