Best practice is to use separate, non-privileged accounts for daily use, with strong security controls and clear separation of duties. Here’s a concise, practical approach for a typical home computer. Core principles

• Separate accounts: Create one standard user account for everyday use and a separate administrator account that is used only for system changes, updates, and any tasks that require elevated privileges. This minimizes the risk from malware and compromised credentials. Use the standard account for browsing, email, and documents, and reserve the admin account for installations and configuration changes.
• Strong authentication: Require strong, unique passwords for each account. Where possible, enable multi-factor authentication (MIDO/MFA) for accounts with elevated privileges.
• Principle of least privilege: Do not run daily activities with administrator rights. Elevate privileges only when necessary and for a limited time.
• Account hygiene: Do not share accounts. Each person should have their own login, and guest or temporary access should be limited and timed.
• Local vs cloud management: If multiple devices are used, consider local accounts for each device with password protection, and use cloud-based sign-in or a local directory service if comfortable with it.
• Regular updates: Keep the operating system and all software up to date to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.
• Backup and restore: Maintain regular backups of important data and ensure you can restore from them if a device is compromised or fails.
• Session hygiene: Lock the device when unattended and sign out when done. Use a screen lock and password-protected sleep/hibernate modes.

Recommended setup steps

• Create user accounts:
  • Day-to-day user: standard account with a strong password; enable automatic sign-in only if you accept the trade-off (usually not recommended).
  • Admin account: separate account with administrator privileges; use a strong, unique password; consider using local admin accounts only for tasks that require elevation.
• Enable security controls:
  • User Account Control (UAC) prompts for elevated actions; keep it enabled at a reasonable level.
  • Use a reputable antivirus/anti-malware solution and enable real-time protection.
  • Enable firewall protections and verify network sharing settings align with privacy needs.
• Access controls and privacy:
  • Configure privacy settings to limit telemetry and data sharing as desired.
  • Review app permissions and only grant necessary access for apps you trust.
• Maintenance routines:
  • Schedule automatic security updates and device backups.
  • Regularly review installed programs and remove unused applications.
  • Run periodic system scans and check account activity logs if available.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Using the administrator account for daily activities or leaving it logged in.
• Reusing passwords across accounts or services.
• Sharing a single admin or user account among multiple people.
• Skipping updates or leaving default security settings, especially on a shared or connected device.

If you’d like, describe your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) and whether you share the computer with others, and I can tailor a step-by-step, OS-specific plan.