Advanced Plus Security Gandalf_The_Grey's Security Config 2021

[CyberTech]

After reading the latest post in Windows 11 - First look I too installed Windows 11 on an unsupported system.
Enjoying the change and the search for (new) settings
The only thing I really dislike is the big taskbar.
Tried the reg fixes that are posted on the net, but small looks horrible with cut off icons in the taskbar.
And I changed from AdGuard to uBlock Origin again, both are great, I just like uBO more.
Just don't follow Mr. Hill on Twitter...

Congrats man

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Are you recommending not to do this or saying that YOU specifically don't do this?

Just I must not do that
Some of his posting annoy me, but that should be no reason not to use uBO.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Congrats man

Thanks

 

[carl fish]

After reading the latest post in Windows 11 - First look I too installed Windows 11 on an unsupported system.
Enjoying the change and the search for (new) settings
The only thing I really dislike is the big taskbar.
Tried the reg fixes that are posted on the net, but small looks horrible with cut off icons in the taskbar.
And I changed from AdGuard to uBlock Origin again, both are great, I just like uBO more.
Just don't follow Mr. Hill on Twitter...

I don't mind personally that the taskbar is bigger but microsoft should allow you to resize it if you want and the fact that drag and drop, options to move it to different sides of the screen is really bad, I hope they decide to put these options back in through an update at some stage.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Had serious issues with Microsoft Excel not responding when using Ziggo Safe Online by F-Secure 18.0, so back to Microsoft Defender Antivirus enhanced by DefenderUI Pro.
That solved my Excel problems

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I used the script made by AveYo to update my unsupported laptop to Windows 11:

MediaCreationTool.bat/no_11_setup_checks_on_dynamic_update.cmd at main · AveYo/MediaCreationTool.bat

Universal MCT wrapper script for all Windows 10/11 versions from 1507 to 21H2! - MediaCreationTool.bat/no_11_setup_checks_on_dynamic_update.cmd at main · AveYo/MediaCreationTool.bat

github.com

The name of the script has changed recently, so the direct link may not work anymore in the future.

A how-to is published by Tom's Hardware:

How to Bypass Windows 11's TPM Requirement
1. Navigate to the Github page for Aveyo's open-source Universal MediaCreationTool You actually don't need the whole tool, just the script for skipping TPM checks.
2. Scroll down to "Skip_TPM_Check_on_Dynamic_Update_v2.cmd"
3. Select and copy all the code for that file only.
4. Open Notepad and paste the code into it.
5. Save the file as disable-tpm-check.cmd to your desktop.
6. Double click the file to run it.
7. Click Yes when asked whether to allow Windows PowerShell to make changes to your device
You'll see PowerShell open with the note "Skip TPM Check on Dynamic Update [Installed]." Note that if you run it again, it will re-enable TPM check.
After this, if you are in the Insider Program, Windows update will start downloading Windows 11 and install it. If you are already running Windows 11 and have been denied an update, that will download.
If you are not in the Insider program, you can upgrade to the new OS by downloading a Windows 11 ISO file, writing it to a USB drive or optical disc and running the setup.exe file from within Windows 10.

How to Bypass Windows 11's TPM Requirement and Upgrade from Windows 10

 

[Dave Russo]

Hi

Gandalf_The_Grey, how important is having your third-party router? If you could elaborate on this, such as why you recommend this, how hard to configure, and maybe cost ( if this is not rude to ask) forgive me if it is.I have the router which comes with Optimum, and I have been told my monthly bill can be reduced if I use another.​

​

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Hi @Dave Russo , for us the problem was that we need a stable and good wifi network when I and my kids were working/schooling from home during lockdown.
We had connection problems in the house with our provider (Ziggo) provided cable modem (Connect Box).
An option is to let the provider set it in bridge mode and use your own router.
I bought a TP-Link Archer AX6000 router for 269 euros including 21% VAT and the wifi situation is a lot better now.
We have no problems anymore when all three of us are using Teams and other software. for work and school at the same time on different floors of the house.
A bonus is that that router comes with a free HomeCare by Trend Micro subscription, so we have another layer of protection for all devices connected with the internet.
In conclusion it is not that important, but it solved an issue for us.
If the cable modem/router of my provider worked as good, I would never have bought a third-party router.
I'm no network expert but setting it up was not that difficult.

 

[Dave Russo]

Hi again. Gandalf _The_Grey, I see you kept Spy Blaster for maybe 2 days then upgraded HC and. Got rid of it,the going back to simpler setup/windows hardening,then adding process Lasso. What I would like to know if possible did you find Spy Blaster (a mute point?) and is Process Lasso been a plus(configured or default?) Thank you Dave Russo

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I didn't find a real use of SpywareBlaster, it was really useful when Internet Explorer was everybody's browser.

Multi-Angle Protection

• Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware and other potentially unwanted programs.
• Block spying / tracking via cookies.
• Restrict the actions of potentially unwanted or dangerous web sites.

SpywareBlaster

Prevent the installation of spyware, adware, malware, and more. Free download.

www.brightfort.com

ActiveX is only for Internet Explorer
Spying and tracking via cookies is dealt with by bocking third-party cookies and a good adblocker.
Google Safe Browsing or Microsoft SmartScreen blocks unwanted and dangerous websites together with your favorite AV.

Process Lasso is a difficult subject, I have an active license but if it is needed is doubtful on a reasonably powerful computer.

I switch a lot of times my setup when testing new software and I'm trying to find the best combination for my hardware and my family.
On my shortlist I have three av's that I like: Microsoft Defender, F-Secure Safe (in the form of Ziggo Safe Online) and Kaspersky Security Cloud Free.
I combine them with H_C, SWH or VoodooShield and lately I tested DefenderUI Pro.
@Andy Ful and @danb both make wonderful software.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

And another Excel freeze
But found a probable cause: Core Isolation.

After installing Kaspersky Security Cloud Free it is recommended to turn of Core Isolation:

Advice Request - Trade-off: Windows Virtualization-based Security VS Kaspersky Functionalities

I need recommendations (and further explanation) on which to choose: 1.) Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI)/Memory Integrity VS Kaspersky with "better" System Watcher & Protected Browser/Safe Money additional functionality. When HVCI (or any VBS) is enabled, Kaspersky protection using...

malwaretips.com

Turning Core Isolation off solved (hopefully) my Excel problems permanently... if not, I will let everybody know

Found more info on potential problems with Core Isolation and Virtualization-based Security on Windows 11 in this article:

In addition to AMD, benchmarking company UL Procyon has confirmed that a feature in Windows 11 called “Virtualization-based Security (VBS)”, which is now enabled by default, causes performance to drop. As a result, benchmark scores may be slightly lower when benchmarking Windows 11 version 21H2 with VBS enabled.

AMD confirms Windows 11 is causing performance issues

At this point, it would be weird if a huge Windows update like Windows 11 didn’t cause major issues, so performance issues shouldn’t come as a surprise. Windows 11 version 21H2 or Build 22000.194 has resulted in major performance slowdown, internet issues, and a host of other problems for some...

www.windowslatest.com

And that could be the reason for Microsoft to call my laptop an unsupported device...

 

[SeriousHoax]

Are you using Kaspersky Free in default settings or turned off HTTPS scanning since you're not a fan of that?

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Are you using Kaspersky Free in default settings or turned off HTTPS scanning since you're not a fan of that?

I kept HTTPS scanning on, I only disabled "Decrypt an encrypted connection with the website that uses EV certificate".

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Now that my ISP finally released version 18.1 of Ziggo Safe Online (a rebrand of F-Secure Safe), which is officially Windows 11 compatible, I went back to Ziggo Safe Online. For added security I use Simple Windows Hardening by @Andy Ful and for added privacy I use O&O ShutUp10++.
Learned my lesson and will keep Core Isolation off on this laptop that doesn't meet all Windows 11 hardware requirements, it doesn't have a TPM chip.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

@oldschool removed VoodooShield and I added Voodooshield
Running great on Windows 11
I only had 2 blocks when Microsoft Teams had an update.
Reported them to @danb .

 

[ForgottenSeer 92963]

@Gandalf_The_Grey Are you running VS alongside Ziggo Safe Online?

I understood* that when running a vanilla Microsoft setup (Office/Edge) Microsoft Defender with ConfigureDefender and SimpleWindowsHardening provide top notch securty. @Gandalf_The_Grey Is it the fun to try out other setups or the need to have better than standard security protection, which makes you try alternative security setups?

* @Andy Ful I have seen you posting about SWH and CD protecting against some in the wild malware. Is above statement still valid (MD with your tools is top notch protection on typical M$ setup)?

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

@Gandalf_The_Grey Are you running VS alongside Ziggo Safe Online?

I understood* that when running a vanilla Microsoft setup (Office/Edge) Microsoft Defender with ConfigureDefender and SimpleWindowsHardening provide top notch securty. @Gandalf_The_Grey Is it the fun to try out other setups or the need to have better than standard security protection, which makes you try alternative security setups?

* @Andy Ful I have seen you posting about SWH and CD protecting against some in the wild malware. Is above statement still valid (MD with your tools is top notch protection on typical M$ setup)?

@Kees1958 Yes, I'm running Ziggo Safe Online together with VoodooShield.
I'm still trying different setups to find the best combo for me and my family.
It's always nice to try new things and stay up to date with the latest developments.

The main reason to use Ziggo Safe Online instead of Microsoft Defender is speed.
My laptop feels much snappier with Ziggo Safe Online.

The main reason to use VoodooShield instead of Simple Windows Hardening or Hard_Configurator is that you get a popup when there is a block.
With SW or H_C you must go to the logs to find out what's blocked and whitelist it if needed.
That's fine for me, but less ideal for my family members.

 

[ForgottenSeer 92963]

Maybe I will give ziggo safe online a go then. With my previous cpu ziggo felt slower than defender. Thx

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Maybe I will give ziggo safe online a go then. With my previous cpu ziggo felt slower than defender. Thx

It is much better in the 18.1 update.
Changelog posted here for F-Secure Safe 18.1 by @upnorth :

F-Secure 18.1 released

Quote: " Version 18.1 Released September 2021 Remote access protection When a banking session starts, Banking protection detects and blocks remote access to your computer and displays a warning. This prevents phone scammers from leveraging remote access software to perform online thefts. The...

malwaretips.com

Most important part:

All user interfaces now with .NET technology

• All user interfaces have been converted to .NET technology.
• The change has been implemented, as the old user interface needed to be loaded into memory after restart, affecting the computer performance. It was also always running in the background, consuming memory and a little bit of CPU. The new .NET-based user interface now loads into the memory only when needed, resulting in less resource usage while the product still protects you in the background.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I used the script made by AveYo to update my unsupported laptop to Windows 11:

MediaCreationTool.bat/no_11_setup_checks_on_dynamic_update.cmd at main · AveYo/MediaCreationTool.bat

Universal MCT wrapper script for all Windows 10/11 versions from 1507 to 21H2! - MediaCreationTool.bat/no_11_setup_checks_on_dynamic_update.cmd at main · AveYo/MediaCreationTool.bat

github.com

The name of the script has changed recently, so the direct link may not work anymore in the future.

A how-to is published by Tom's Hardware:

How to Bypass Windows 11's TPM Requirement and Upgrade from Windows 10

The script is not there anymore
With the last two unsupported devices I did an upgrade using the Windows11Upgrade tool from here:

GitHub - coofcookie/Windows11Upgrade: Windows 11 Upgrade tool that bypasses Microsoft´s requirements

Windows 11 Upgrade tool that bypasses Microsoft´s requirements - coofcookie/Windows11Upgrade

github.com