User/ Administrator Permissions and Log In.

Question

I have a new Mac book Pro.
I am trying to find a definitive answer to my dilemma.
Currently I log on with full administrator privileges,but I have read that this is dangerous and that I should create a separate user account.
I am fairly comfortable with the system although learning all the time.
Can anyone advise what the best and safest way is to use my Mac book Pro.
Thanks
Keith

Answer 1

..."It is evident from this statement & the content of the document that it is not intended simply for "advanced users" but for situations that require stringent security measures"...
While it is obvious that some of the security measures covered in the guide don't apply to every situation (eg. FileVault is not appropriate for everyone), it would be flawed logic to conclude that every measure in the guide should only be applied to computers in high security situations.
Some of the topics involve basic security principles that should be applied more generally. The guide uses stronger language for important measures. For example, applying security updates is described as "essential". "Never" open a file sent to you by someone you don't know. "When transportiing the computer, never leave it in an insecure location". Clearly these steps aren't intended only for "security professionals". Similarly, when referring to an admin account, the guide uses the absolute terms "always log in as a nonadministrator user" (unless the task requires otherwise), and "never browse the web or check email" from an admin account.
..."IOW..."...
Yes, I acknowledged in my first response that a properly informed person should make their own decision whether using an admin or standard account is appropriate, and that using a standard one is no guarantee of safety.
What I find highly objectionable and fundamentally irresponsible is the frequency with which certain high level (4 & 5) posters go out of their way to blithey advocate the continued use of the "admin" account to new users seeking advice (in this case, explicitly requesting "the safest way" to use the computer), while reserving knowledge of the admin->root privilege escalation vulnerabilities to themselves.
They are denying the users the ability to make informed choices by pushing their opinions as fact, leveraging their high level status and dropping "credentials" like being a long term, veteran OS X user, or in some cases even that they are an OS X beta tester (as if that somehow gives them developer level security expertise) to give weight to their point of view.
The admin->root privilege escalation vulnerabilities are real and well known, exploits readily demonstrable, and the level of sophistication required to create an exploit is very low. I find it appalling that anyone could recommend the use of an admin account while failing to mention this fact.