Advanced Plus Security Brambedkar59's Security Config 2024

Last updated
Jan 6, 2024
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 11
Other operating system
2 older laptops running Win 10 (one with F-secure and other Kaspersky Free)
On-device encryption
N/A
Log-in security
    • Biometrics (Windows Hello PIN, TouchID, Face, Iris, Fingerprint)
    • Basic account password (insecure)
Security updates
Check for updates and Notify
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Access Control
Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer
Smart App Control
Off
Network firewall
Enabled
Real-time security
Kaspersky Free 2023
Firewall security
Microsoft Defender Firewall
About custom security
Idle scanning, inject script and https scanning disabled
Periodic malware scanners
Norton Power Eraser
EEK
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
N/A
Browser(s) and extensions
Common extension/Search in all browsers: Bitwarden, Google Search
Edge (Default): Adguard, BD TrafficLight, Lyrics Here, Shazam
Firefox (Secondary): Adguard
Chrome (Just in case above 2 doesn't work): Adguard
Secure DNS
NextDNS
Desktop VPN
Windscribe VPN
Password manager
Bitwarden
Maintenance tools
Biweekly run: Windows Built-in, CCleaner, WiseCare 365 (Rarely used), Driver Store Explorer [RAPR] (for deleting old drivers not needed)
For finding program updates: PatchMyPC, UCheck & RuckZuck
HiBit Uninstaller
File and Photo backup
Google Drive, OneDrive
System recovery
Hasleo Backup Suite
Risk factors
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Working from home
    • Making audio/video calls
    • Opening email attachments
    • Buying from online stores, entering banks card details
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Sharing and receiving files and torrents
    • Gaming
    • Gaming with third-party mods
    • Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions
Computer specs
11400H (UV via ThrottleStop), 3050Ti (UV via G-Helper), 16 GB, 0.5TB + 1 TB NVMe, 1 TB & 4 TB HDD (for image backup and downloads)
Notable changes
Kaspersky Security Cloud Free -> Avira Prime
Avira Prime -> Kaspersky Security Cloud Free
Kaspersky Security Cloud Free -> MalwareBytes
MalwareBytes- > Emsisoft AM
Emsisoft AM -> Bitdefender TS
Bitdefender TS -> Kaspersky Free
Kaspersky Free -> MS Defender
MS Defender -> Kaspersky Free
What I'm looking for?

Looking for medium feedback.

Notes by Staff Team
  1. This setup configuration may put you and your device at risk!
    We do not recommend that other members use this setup. We cannot be held responsible for problems that may occur to your device by using this security setup.

brambedkar59

Level 29
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 16, 2017
1,869
I was using just VoodooShield (no AV) on old laptop because not enough CPU power (Intel 7th Gen U-series dual core CPU), but now on new machine I switched to KSC Free.
Also made switch to Win 11, overall decent but still not as stable as Win 10. I only have Home version so really miss the GPedit.msc options.
 

brambedkar59

Level 29
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Well-known
Apr 16, 2017
1,869
I have never used SWH before, trying it now on default settings with both SRH and WH enabled. Do i get pop-ups if something gets blocked? How does it log the blocked apps if it doesn't run in the background?
Do i need to setup any exclusions for Kaspersky so it can run smoothly or not required? On VS I usually set it on "training" mode for a day or two and set my folder exclusions so it can run smoothly with almost no pop-ups.
 

Gandalf_The_Grey

Level 76
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Content Creator
Well-known
Apr 24, 2016
6,505
About SWH check this link: Q&A - Simple Windows Hardening

I guess no popups, but You can check blocked events...

I think You don't need to create any exclusion...
And have a look at the manual (Simple Windows Hardening - Manual.pdf):
Andy did an excellent job on the documentation (y)
 

SeriousHoax

Level 47
Well-known
Mar 16, 2019
3,630
I only have Home version so really miss the GPedit.msc options.
You can try this to enable gpedit in Home edition. I never tried it since I'm using Pro but as far as I know it's safe. It just enables the gpedit feature that Microsoft locks away from Windows 10/11 Home version users. Create a system backup before trying, just in case.

 

brambedkar59

Level 29
Thread author
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Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 16, 2017
1,869
You can try this to enable gpedit in Home edition. I never tried it since I'm using Pro but as far as I know it's safe. It just enables the gpedit feature that Microsoft locks away from Windows 10/11 Home version users. Create a system backup before trying, just in case.

Worked like a charm :) (created system image with Macrium first)
One thing I noticed, I had to set an exclusion for "Gpedit-Enabler-for-Windows-11.bat" file in SWH before running it otherwise it won't run at all. And I can see an entry in "Blocked events" so now I know where to look in-case something doesn't work right.
 

brambedkar59

Level 29
Thread author
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Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 16, 2017
1,869
Windows11 Build updated to 22621.1, so many bugs fixed in this build. I can finally say Win11 is ready for daily use.


Used Bitdefender TS for 1 month or two then moved to KSC Free again. Liked BD so far but KSC is lighter. (Browsing is faster on BD if I use default settings in KSC)

Removed:
Simple Windows Hardening by Andy Ful (too many blocks while installing drivers/softwares)
Malwarebytes WFC

Added: Bitdefender VPN
 
Last edited:

Trooper

Level 16
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Aug 28, 2015
772
Windows11 Build updated to 22621.1, so many bugs fixed in this build. I can finally say Win11 is ready for daily use.


Used Bitdefender TS for 1 month or two then moved to KSC Free again. Liked BD so far but KSC is lighter. (Browsing is faster on BD if I use default settings in KSC)

Removed:
Simple Windows Hardening by Andy Ful (too many blocks while installing drivers/softwares)
Malwarebytes WFC

Added: Bitdefender VPN

Nice setup. Glad to hear the new build of 11 is more stable. I am looking forward to checking it out when it goes final.

Yeah BD browsing is definitely faster than KSC, unless you tweak it.

Thanks for sharing.
 

brambedkar59

Level 29
Thread author
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Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 16, 2017
1,869
Now that it has been confirmed as the RTM build, I wanted to know about your experience with it so far. Is it fully stable? Have you noticed any kind of bugs? : Windows 11 - First look
Build 22621.1 is pretty stable, feels snappy as well and seeing no major bugs. Ready for daily use.
Some minor bugs are still there like this, UI takes a sec to load (only see this after a boot or waking after sleep, nothing too serious) and sometimes MS Photos app crashes (not seeing it for last 2 days though, could be fixed in app update).
Edit: Forgot about the Volume/Sound mixer bug, it keeps resetting System sounds to 100% after every Sleep/shutdown/reboot. This bug is on every single Win 11 build I have used so far.
 
Last edited:

brambedkar59

Level 29
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 16, 2017
1,869
Wow Kaspersky is getting jealous. Earlier it wouldn't care about Malwarebytes if you installed it after installing Kaspersky but now it does mind that.

1654968073036.png
 

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