Vista Tips - Assigning a Password and Renaming the Guest Account

One of the default accounts set up in Windows Vista is the Guest account. This account can be useful if your computer is in a public place such as a library and a low rights account is needed.

However, for most of us, this account is just another possible security hole because it cannot be deleted. It is disabled by default but it could be enabled again by a virus or malware if your computer ever gets infected. The best way to neutralize this account is to give it a random password and rename it to eliminate the chances that some script will be able to use it.

Follow these steps to protect this account:

• Click the Start menu, right-click Computer, and then select Manage.
• After Computer Manager loads, expand Local Users and Groups and select the Users folder. All the local computer accounts will be listed.
  
• Right-click the Guest account on the list and select Set Password.
• A warning screen will appear, telling you about what may happen if you proceed. Disregard this message and click Proceed.
• When the Set Password window appears, type in a completely random password that is a complex password and is also at least 20 characters long in both boxes and click OK. The new password will now be set.
• Rename the account to confuse any malicious scripts that might be looking for it. Right-click the Guest account again and select Rename.
• Type a new name for this account that has some random letters and numbers in it. You just want to make it different from Guest.
• When you are done renaming it, click Enter and you are finished.

Your Guest account is now more secure than ever.
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