Poll [2026] What is the fundamental component of your Security Configuration?

[Divergent]

Because the title is "configuration", not "methods".
Common sense my first and most important method, especially when using only MD.

The brain is the most fundamental part of any configuration and probably should just be place in the "other" category. Relying on software to save you from yourself is most likely your first mistake.

 

[Parkinsond]

The brain is the most fundamental part of any configuration and probably should just be place in the "other" category. Relying on software to save you from yourself is most likely your first mistake.

Thinking (brain) is a method, not a configuration; you can ask your AI.

 

[Jonny Quest]

The brain is the most fundamental part of any configuration and probably should just be place in the "other" category. Relying on software to save you from yourself is most likely your first mistake.

"Our", first mistake

 

[Divergent]

Thinking (brain) is a method, not a configuration; you can ask your AI.

What do you use to build your configuration. What do you use when you are navigating threats and obstacles. Semantics is a game for the unintelligent .

I do not need to ask artificial intelligence such a rhetorical question.

Anytime you wish to challenge me with cyber security knowledge just say the word.

 

[Miravi]

Giving it more thought, I would have to say that DNS—Cloudflare Zero Trust—is my vanguard after all. I take advantage of all the relevant security and content categories available, and it doesn't even cost me anything. Cloudflare's threat intelligence network is extensive in scope:

• Proprietary/Internal Sources:
  • Global network telemetry (billions of requests daily across 330+ cities).
  • Machine learning models for detecting patterns (e.g., DGAs, phishing, NRDs).
  • Cloudforce One research team (in-house analysis of attacks and actors).
  • Aggregated/anonymized data from products like 1.1.1.1 resolver and Secure Web Gateway.
    
    
• External/Partner Sources:
  • Commercial/third-party feeds (curated vendors).
  • Open-source threat intelligence (OSINT/community reports).
  • Specific partnerships: Mandiant (Google), Recorded Future, VirusTotal.
  • U.S. Department of Treasury and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) – financial sector indicators.
  • Cyber Defense Collaboration groups (for Custom Indicator Feeds).
  • Area 1 acquisition (phishing datasets).

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

Guys, always remember that DNS cannot block scripts, iframes, fonts.......from the same source if the entire website cannot be blocked for usability reasons.

 

[Minimalist]

For me, most important is system and data backup. I've used backups many times for different reasons and wouldn't run my system without it any more.

 

[Parkinsond]

For me, most important is system and data backup. I've used backups many times for different reasons and wouldn't run my system without it any more.

Backup is not a matter of debate, if not for security purpose, then to avoid data loss up on drive failure.

 

[Minimalist]

Backup is not a matter of debate, if not for security purpose, then to avoid data loss up on drive failure.

OK if it's not a matter of debate then ignore my post. Still for me it's the most fundamental component of my security configuration.

 

[Jonny Quest]

OK if it's not a matter of debate then ignore my post. Still for me it's the most fundamental component of my security configuration.

You're fine, it's all good. Backups are a part of our security, fundamental, as you and the thread title said

 

[Divergent]

For me, most important is system and data backup. I've used backups many times for different reasons and wouldn't run my system without it any more.

This is using your brain. Backups are fundamental because not only can infection happen but hardware issues may as well. Habits can carry you far, and this is one of them.

 

[Parkinsond]

OK if it's not a matter of debate then ignore my post. Still for me it's the most fundamental component of my security configuration.

I mean it is essential for several reasons; you have misunderstood my words.

 

[Minimalist]

I mean it is essential for several reasons; you have misunderstood my words.

I guess I did misunderstood you. All's good

 

[Parkinsond]

I guess I did misunderstood you. All's good

It's okay, personally I cannot get the exact meaning of some word combinations, too; I'm not a native English-speaker.

 

[Acadia]

Other: Sandboxie

Acadia

 

[Sorrento]

I speak English, born in England & live in England & often I'm not very good at explaining myself properly, esp with no none verbal language on here etc.

 

[LinuxFan58]

I voted for system recovery when I am only allowed to choose one, because without it you don't have anything to recover when something fails (hardware, software or brain.exe).

I am confused by the brain.exe discussion, which is a bit over estimated IMO. I agree with the "brain.exe is imported", but I am disagreeing with "brain.exe is the only thing I need and relying on software is stupid".

In real life for instance you can lower the chance of someone stealing your car by not parking it in dodgy places, but that does not reduce the chance of car theft to zero.

Reversly locking your car, needing a key (code) to start it, adding a bearlock and a tracker also does not reduce the chance to zero, but is considered best practice for high value cars.

Using this real life comparison I realize that my data is not high value, meaning the extra (software) precautions I make are probably not necessary when I am using common sence.

With common defenses (e.g. Avast free) and common sense (brain.exe) the ordinary PC user is most likely well protected.

So I agree that brain.exe is important and security software can't compensate human stupidity.

This is the reason I explicitly added "brain.exe" to when something fails, because brain.exe can also fail IMO (unless the brain.exe believers are convinced their brain.exe can not fail).

 

[Jonny Quest]

I had voted for the AV, in case my brain.exe has a brain cramp, my version of a backup Besides the AV's browser extension's online/download protection.

 

[Divergent]

Folks since some of you are quite good at taking things out of context let me spell this out for you. It's simple, use your head first and always, take time to learn, grow habits such as backups ECT. I'm not saying security software is not important, it's literally your last line of defense if you approach it correctly though, why is this a hard concept to understand. If your habits and decisions block most issues then you are not relying on it but only as a fail safe.

If you rely solely on your software security and neglect habits and or using your head, you will fail at some point.

Is this easy enough to understand and not twist.

 

[Andy Ful]

Both "brain/caution" and software/hardware can be important. It would be hard to rely only on one of those factors.

It is worth remembering that the more useful the security software/hardware, the less secure the user. The reference point can be a standard security (popular home AV), which requires a good amount of "brain/caution" factor.
It is probably true that a standard security level can be fulfilled by not using AV at all, with much "brain/caution". However, this could be very inconvenient in the long run (if possible).

MT members often think of a very high level of security, which requires higher factors of "brain/caution" and "software/hardware".
Strong security software/hardware is usually less useful. To avoid a strong but non-useful security setup, the "brain/caution" factor is still important.