Advanced Plus Security blackice’s 2020 Security Config

Last updated
Jan 1, 2020
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 10
Log-in security
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
User Access Control
Always notify
Real-time security
MIcrosoft Defender
Macrium Reflect Image Gurdian
OSArmor
Firewall security
About custom security
Configure Defender: High
OSArmor tweaked to cover extra functions I don't use.
Periodic malware scanners
EEK, MBAM, ESET online scanner
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Browser(s) and extensions
Firefox-
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
uBlock Origin
1PasswordX

Edge Chromium Beta-
Smartscreen enabled
1PasswordX
uBlock Origin

Chrome-
uBlock Origin
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
1PasswordX

Brave-
Shields on
1PasswordX
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Maintenance tools
RunBySmartscreen
Process Monitor
HWinfo64
MSI Afterburner
Bandizip
File and Photo backup
Onedrive - Microsoft 365
Google Drive
System recovery
Macrium Reflect Home - weekly
Image Guardian Enabled
Risk factors
    • Gaming
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Streaming audio/video content from shady sites
Computer specs
i7 6700
16 GB DDR4 3000
RTX 2060 Super
256 SSD
512 SSD
1 TB HDD

All home devices behind a Gryphon router.

Dave Russo

Level 21
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
May 26, 2014
1,042
Now that you mention it, I think my shop foreman spent a couple of weeks at a Indian reservation called Turtle Mountain,He was given the name Thunder Chicken,for apparently yelling incoherently about cell phone service I think
 

blackice

Level 38
Thread author
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Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 1, 2019
2,731
So apparently with a fresh install, even on the same M$ account, Win10 doesn’t recognize apps in their windowsapps folders outside the c:. It is also a folder that is basically impossible to delete. I managed to mostly empty them, but windows failed to be able to use the secondary drives to install windows apps because of those old folders. The solution is apparently format the drives. This is only really a problem for gamers who need the space of a secondary drive for windows apps. Very much a bummer.
 

blackice

Level 38
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 1, 2019
2,731
For some insight as to why. I recently moved some large folders when I screwed up a reimage and had to do some work moving things around. It was SLOW with WD. Not sure if it was because of WD, but I may test out moving the same files with ESET.
 

blackice

Level 38
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 1, 2019
2,731
Removed-
ESET IS

Added-
Bitdefender IS

Just making the change for the duration of the trial. So far I'm just as happy. Comparison gaming benchmarks are almost identical between the two. This surprised me.
 

blackice

Level 38
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 1, 2019
2,731
I tried MR twice, both times resulted in BSOD'S that were particularly hard to recover from, and I find the program to be incredibly confusing, just me I guess as so many like it.
That’s interesting. I did find it confusing initially. It is highly configurable, but lacks fluid design. I’ve had no problem with it. I actually started using it because windows image backup failed me. I’ve been using it for a year doing a weekly backup and reimaged many times. But I can understand avoiding the headache of diagnosing BSODs.
 

blackice

Level 38
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 1, 2019
2,731
Trying out 1Password. The family account functionality is actually a little smoother than lastpass. Also, LogMeIn just laid off a bunch of people and executives have been jumping ship. Makes me think it’s time to leave lastpass behind despite really liking the current product.
 

blackice

Level 38
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 1, 2019
2,731
Updated to reflect current working config.

Changed to Admin account while doing some longer term work (which is easier with admin) and staying signed into my M$ account. May return to Standard when done with these projects. I do find some tools work better on Admin, and I have low risk habits so I’m not too worried about it.

Added-
Firefox: AdGuard
Edge: AdGuard
Brave
OSArmor tweaked

Removed-
Firefox: uBlock Origin
Edge: uBlock Origin

Also. updated my clean (no AV) backup image today, and boy is Macrium Home fast! Definitely worth the price, even though it’s a bit expensive.
 

blackice

Level 38
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 1, 2019
2,731
Getting bored sitting around so much. Decided to install VoodooShield and play around. I've never left it installed before. Seems to be no performance hit after the first launch. (y)

For fun

Removed-
OSArmor

Added-
Voodooshield
 

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