Advice Request Advise regarding protecting my computer

[Bumblebee Uncle]

Hello everyone,

I hope you are doing well. I would like advise from the forum members about two things:

1. Can you recommend an anti virus which is not simply set and forget like F-secure but one which I can tweak? I do not wish to use Kaspersky because of personal reasons. So, I am inclined to use one which is highly customizable. I do not mind paying

2. Completely aside from point 1, is there a good way to protect my computer for free? For example, using Defender UI to configure windows defender or use @Andy Ful tool to configure my windows defender, and then use Comodo firewall alongside it using @cruelsister settings? For my browser, I plan on using Ublock origin+ privacy badger + Emsisoft's extension.

Any advise would be much appreciated.

I look forward to learning from you all.

Thank you.

 

[Kongo]

1. Can you recommend an anti virus which is not simply set and forget like F-secure but one which I can tweak? I do not wish to use Kaspersky because of personal reasons. So, I am inclined to use one which is highly customizable. I do not mind paying

ESET is a very customizable and effective solution.

2. Completely aside from point 1, is there a good way to protect my computer for free? For example, using Defender UI to configure windows defender or use @Andy Ful tool to configure my windows defender, and then use Comodo firewall alongside it using @cruelsister settings? For my browser, I plan on using Ublock origin+ privacy badger + Emsisoft's extension.

Seems like a strong free config to me. You might as well want to check out Simple Windows Hardening:

Hard_Configurator/Simple Windows Hardening/readme.md at master · AndyFul/Hard_Configurator

GUI to Manage Software Restriction Policies and harden Windows Home OS - AndyFul/Hard_Configurator

github.com

And web-protection by using secure DNS like:

1. NextDNS
2. Quad9 | A public and free DNS service for a better security and privacy

Secure DNS can make extensions like Emsisoft Browser Protection redundant if you are browsing carefully.

 

[ScandinavianFish]

What you need it common sense, avoid using pirated/cracked/torrented or otherwise illegal softwar, dont download, click, and run everything you recieve, be it from an "friend" on Discord or other messaging services, dont open unsolicited email links and attachments (always check the sender address, the URL's themself, spelling, etc, dont open random office documents), and most importantly keep your system and applications up to date

 

[Bumblebee Uncle]

Thank you @SecureKongo and @ScandinavianFish for your answers and valuable advise. Since I am learning, I will have questions and I hope you dont mind if I ask.

For now, I have one question. I checked the release notes for Comodo Firewall - last update was way back in March 2020. All info here: Comodo Internet Security Release Notes

Is it therefore still worth it to use Comodo Firewall, especially considering the developers are not paying any attention to it? (perhaps @cruelsister if you have time- may be you can give me some advise.). Thank you.

 

[show-Zi]

If you want to adjust settings, I think software such as ESET and Avast are candidates for choice. In recent years, it seems that security software tends to simplify settings, so I guess that the target products will be narrowed down.
Have you ever had any reactions while using Kaspersky other than tests and false positives? If that didn't happen, I think a defender would be fine. I think the Defender UI settings screen can withstand the desire to tweak the software.
Comodo might be a good option if you like settings and tweaks. However, regarding recent comodo, it is a concern that the direction of how to proceed with this software in the future is unclear.

 

[RoboMan]

1. Can you recommend an anti virus which is not simply set and forget like F-secure but one which I can tweak? I do not wish to use Kaspersky because of personal reasons. So, I am inclined to use one which is highly customizable. I do not mind paying

Aforementioned, one of ESET's strongest advantages is it's tweaking possibilities. The fact that it includes an HIPS and a rule creator will alow you to do great things. But beware, with a great power comes a great responsability. Such modules are a powerful tool you must learn to use in order to not break your operating system.
Aside from HIPS, this antivirus is highly configurable in almost every module.

Another antivirus that will let you do this is AVG with its "geek:area". There are plenty of interesting and useful options there that will let you set the product up the to identity you want.

To conclude, I know you don't want to use it, sadly, but Kaspersky is really good at letting you configure the product at the extense you want, and offers solid protection.

2. Completely aside from point 1, is there a good way to protect my computer for free? For example, using Defender UI to configure windows defender or use @Andy Ful tool to configure my windows defender, and then use Comodo firewall alongside it using @cruelsister settings? For my browser, I plan on using Ublock origin+ privacy badger + Emsisoft's extension.

Options that come to mind:

• WiseVector + Anti-Executable
• Free AV (Defender or 3rd Party) + SysHardener/H_C
• CS' CFW with signatures from Microsoft Defender

 

[shmu26]

If you are a home user, you avoid pirated downloads, and you excercise healthy caution with emails, you don't have a lot to worry about.
Any good antivirus is good enough, including Microsoft Defender.
If you want to up your security even more, Andy Ful's tools are great.
If you want super security, consider adding VoodooShield.

Comodo Firewall is buggy and inconsistent. I cannot recommend it.

A password manager can help you stay away from phishing sites, because if the site is not the real one, it won't recognise it, and won't give you the password.

 

[Pixel_]

Hey, @Bumblebee Uncle if you have ESET in mind @RoboMan has a good ESET configuration guide here Configure ESET as default-deny (bye ransomware!)
Now, this is from 2019, so I'm not sure how much has changed since.

 

[ForgottenSeer 95367]

2. Completely aside from point 1, is there a good way to protect my computer for free? For example, using Defender UI to configure windows defender or use @Andy Ful tool to configure my windows defender, and then use Comodo firewall alongside it using @cruelsister settings? For my browser, I plan on using Ublock origin+ privacy badger + Emsisoft's extension.

• Microsoft Defender + (Hard_Configurator + ConfigureDefender + FirewallHardening)
• Macrium Reflect Free
• uBO

Apply maximum protection settings for all areas and the above configuration shall provide you reliable, easily maintained ultra-paranoid protection.

 

[Freki123]

When you install Hard_Configurator then Configure Defender and Firewall Hardening are already included (in Hard_Configurator). So with one install you get a lot of options for extra security. Other than that backup (macrium free or some like aomei) and an ad blocker would be the bare minimum requirement.

 

[Bumblebee Uncle]

And web-protection by using secure DNS like:

1. NextDNS
2. Quad9 | A public and free DNS service for a better security and privacy

Thank you so much @SecureKongo for these tips. I am not just new to having my own computer but also new to understanding all of these. I hope it is fine if from time to time, I keep posting silly questions to learn more from this community. Thank you again.

 

[Bumblebee Uncle]

Hey, @Bumblebee Uncle if you have ESET in mind @RoboMan has a good ESET configuration guide here Configure ESET as default-deny (bye ransomware!)
Now, this is from 2019, so I'm not sure how much has changed since.

This is super helpful. I will give it a go thank you.

 

[Kongo]

Thank you so much @SecureKongo for these tips. I am not just new to having my own computer but also new to understanding all of these. I hope it is fine if from time to time, I keep posting silly questions to learn more from this community. Thank you again.

I'm pretty sure that's what the forum was made for. Ask whatever you want as long as you can learn a thing or two.

 

[Bumblebee Uncle]

I'm pretty sure that's what the forum was made for. Ask whatever you want as long as you can learn a thing or two.

Thank you

 

[ForgottenSeer 95367]

Thank you

It is customary for people to promote what they think is the best solution here. Then there are the incessant debates of what is best, what is most secure, what security paradigm is the most effective, most user friendly, etc. Others think this forum is their own private marketing promotion platform. The result for you is information overload. It is a distraction from youf goal which is only to protect your local system.

The most important thing is to find what works for you and that you keep using it.