Advanced Security Divine Barakah's PC Security Config 2024

[Divine_Barakah]

Now reverted back to MD with DefenderUI Pro with recommended profile with WDAC enabled.
Started using Adguard Desktop with NextDNS DNS over HTTPS systemwide.
Installed MD Browser Protection
Removed all browsers and kept Vivaldi (multiple profiles for different purposes).

 

[mlnevese]

it's interesting they block Avast and allow AVG... nobody tell them it's the same product with a different skin

 

[Divine_Barakah]

it's interesting they block Avast and allow AVG... nobody tell them it's the same product with a different skin

BTW when you access AVG website, connections are made to Avast and Norton.

 

[lokamoka820]

Installed MD Browser Protection

Did it block anything for you, I thought it doesn't work for all regions.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Does this detection indicate that F-Secure is connected to cloud without any issues?

 

[Jonny Quest]

Does this detection indicate that F-Secure is connected to cloud without any issues?View attachment 285010

I'm not sure, but from the same webpage you're on when I launch the test, I get the full screen window of "you shouldn't surf here." In Chrome and Brave.


And from one of the other tests.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I'm not sure, but from the same webpage you're on when I launch the test, I get the full screen window of you should not surf here. In Chrome and Brave.
View attachment 285012 View attachment 285013

And from one of the other tests.
View attachment 285014

I intentionally disabled F-Secure extension on Vivaldi to let the CloudCar file download successfully. I wanted to test F-Secure cloud protection.

Judging from the detection name, it seems the test malware was detected by Avira's cloud?

 

[lokamoka820]

What you don't like about Microsoft Defender?

 

[Divine_Barakah]

What you don't like about Microsoft Defender?

Personally, I have nothing against MD, but I hate the fact that Microsoft has decided to force it onto every single Windows machine. I prefer if Microsoft had given us the option t install it or not, or at least allowed us to fully disable it without the need to use a 3rd-party tool. I also hate the fact that one needs to use a 3rd-party tool or use GPO to configure MD for optimal protection.

 

[lokamoka820]

Personally, I have nothing against MD, but I hate the fact that Microsoft has decided to force it onto every single Windows machine. I prefer if Microsoft had given us the option t install it or not, or at least allowed us to fully disable it without the need to use a 3rd-party tool. I also hate the fact that one needs to use a 3rd-party tool or use GPO to configure MD for optimal protection.

So it is not that you think it is weak on its default settings?

 

[Divine_Barakah]

A lot of changes for today

- MD default settings as DefenderUI Pro recommended profile caused a noticeable system slowdown especially when installing new software.
- Adguard Desktop with "Comfortable Protection" settings with DNS over HTTPS systemwide connected to Adguard Public DNS.
- Currently testing Avira Browser Safety
- Ditched Vivaldi and currently using Sidekick browser.
- Installed XYplorer. It is much faster that Windows Explorer.
- Installed Winrar only because it s digitally signed.
- Installed Swifdoo Pdf Editor
- OnlyOffice and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019
- Using Smarty Uninstaller.
-- Kerish Doctor on manual mode
-- Windscribe VPN with Stealth.

Regarding Sidekick browser, I am on the free plan, but if invite 20 people using my link I will get the Pro version for free, so I appreciate it if anyone is interested to use it.
Please use this link to try it.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

So it is not that you think it is weak on its default settings?

I do not think it is necessarily "weak" on default settings. With the use of a good browser extension such as BDTL, MBBG, or Avira Browser Safety and the use of Quad9 DNS, I believe one would be OK with the default settings.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I do not think it is necessarily "weak" on default settings. With the use of a good browser extension such as BDTL, MBBG, or Avira Browser Safety and the use of Quad9 DNS, I believe one would be OK with the default settings.

I also have backups of my important files. The most important files are synced to the cloud in Realtime. So no matter what goes wrong, if it ever happens, all I have to do is restore the system.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I replaced the Samsung NVMe with WD Blue Sn500 and performance is so much better even though the new SSD is much older, but it seems that the Samsung one has some sort of problem.

Reinstalled Webroot Internet Security Plus
Removed Adguard Desktop
Updated Wondershare PDFelement 11
Reinstalled Joplin (sync via WebDav to my Koofr)
Updated Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 to latest version
Kept only Vivaldi with multiple profiles

 

[jamey910111]

I replaced the Samsung NVMe with WD Blue Sn500 and performance is so much better even though the new SSD is much older, but it seems that the Samsung one has some sort of problem.

Reinstalled Webroot Internet Security Plus
Removed Adguard Desktop
Updated Wondershare PDFelement 11
Reinstalled Joplin (sync via WebDav to my Koofr)
Updated Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 to latest version
Kept only Vivaldi with multiple profiles

Although i cant really back it up with any data i find office 2021 to be an improvement performance wise over office 2019 so i suggest installing that..although right now office 2024 is coming out

i am not even sure if office 2019 is getting security updates…

Also i ise script to remove ai from office each time, and block office and clicktooffice from internet until a security update is necessary..i dont update otherwise just for sake of updates, and just re-run the script each tome to get rid of ai which o believe has also led to performance improvements

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Although i cant really back it up with any data i find office 2021 to be an improvement performance wise over office 2019 so i suggest installing that..although right now office 2024 is coming out

i am not even sure if office 2019 is getting security updates…

Also i ise script to remove ai from office each time, and block office and clicktooffice from internet until a security update is necessary..i dont update otherwise just for sake of updates, and just re-run the script each tome to get rid of ai which o believe has also led to performance improvements

What features am I missing? Office is costly and I do not upgrade unless I find a really good deal.

As for security updates, Office 2019 was updated on Aug 13

 

[jamey910111]

What features am I missing? Office is costly and I do not upgrade unless I find a really good deal.

As for security updates, Office 2019 was updated on Aug 13

Not features i guess but i believe performance/speed is better in general..not that office 2021 is issue free performance wise though..i found this the case working with heavier docs specially unless its placebo

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Not features i guess but i believe performance/speed is better in general..not that office 2021 is issue free performance wise though..i found this the case working with heavier docs specially unless its placebo

It is not sth worth upgrading for. BTW I still find Windows 10 faster than Windows 11, so the latest is not always the greatest.

And honestly I'd use OnlyOffice or Softmaker Office rather than M Office, but I am only uaing it to write my diasertation for now and ill ditch it soon.