Advanced Plus Security ErzCrz's PC Security Config

Current configurationWindows 11
Version 4Updated
428 replies
Detailed suggestions and alternatives welcomeWhat changed
Staff assessment Advanced Plus Security

harlan4096 ·

Device & operating system

, 4 answers
Operating system
Windows 11
OS version and support details
N/A
Main use of this computer
For home and private use
Usage and exposure
Visiting familiar websites, Working from home, Opening email attachments, Online shopping and card payments, Downloading software and files from reputable sites, Gaming, Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions

Protection & updates

, 14 answers
Real-time protection
ESET Security Premium
CyberLock
Device firewall
Other - Internet Security (3rd-party)
On-device encryption
Windows BitLocker / Device Encryption
Device sign-in security
Windows Hello PIN or biometric sign-in (face / fingerprint / Touch ID)
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Account Control (UAC)
Always notify
Smart App Control
Off
Network firewall
Enabled
Router and network details
Sky Router with built-in IPV4/IPv6 Firewall
Custom security settings
ESET Security Premium - Default Settings
Cyberlock - ON - Firewall Rules for Unsafe Items. SmartFirewall Recommended, Create Rules for unsafe Enabled both Inbound/Outbound
RansomwareGuard (Testing now and then but not enabled full time)
Quad9 DNS
Periodic malware scanners
Malwarebytes
Emsisoft
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
N/A

Browsing, accounts & privacy

, 5 answers
Browsers and extensions
Primary: Firefox with uBlock Origin in Medium Mode and Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Secondary: Edge with Stripped Back uBlock
Secure DNS
Quad9 DNS over HTTP
Desktop VPN
Firefox Free Built-In.
Password and passkey manager
Keepass 2.x
Two-factor authentication
Keepass Built in TOTP

Backup & recovery

, 2 answers
File and photo backups
AOMEI Backupper Pro - Monthly Full Backups & Weekly Differential Backups. On plug in of external for essential backups e.g. documents, photos etc.
System recovery
Lenovo Built in Recovery, AOMEI Backupper Pro Recovering Environment & Bootable USB. Weekly differential and essentials backup

Apps, specs & notes

, 5 answers
Maintenance tools
Windows built-in Disk Clean-up and Storage Sense.
Subscriptions
None
Notable changes
See First Post Spoilers
08.02.2026 - 2026 setup - ESET Security Essentials, CyberLock, RansomwareGuard
11.03.2026 - Just minor tweak to DNS to DNS4EU servers.
15.03.2026 - Upgraded ESET to Premium
24.06.2026 - Switched DNS back to Sky DNS (Sky Shield)
23.07.2026 - Switched to Comodo Internet Security 2027
26.09.2026 - Changed DNS to Quad9
01.10.2026 - Minor updates and filled in missing parts.
18.10.2026 - Returned to ESET & CyberLock stack
30.10.2026 - Enabled Bitlocker Encryption
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Disclaimer we use date format DD/MM/YYYY here in the UK
Feedback preference
Detailed suggestions and alternatives welcome
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Older thread fields from Jan 1, 2022 (not current) · expand details
Thread details
Last updated
Mar 15, 2026
Main use of this computer
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 11
OS version and support details
N/A
On-device encryption
Windows BitLocker / Device Encryption
Device sign-in security
    • Windows Hello PIN or biometric sign-in (face / fingerprint / Touch ID)
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Account Control (UAC)
Always notify
Smart App Control
Off
Network firewall
Enabled
Router and network details
Sky Router with built-in IPV4/IPv6 Firewall
Real-time protection
Comodo Internet Security 2027
CyberLock
Device firewall
Other - Internet Security (3rd-party)
Custom security settings
Comodo Internet Security 2027 - Proactive, autocontainment to Untrusted
Cyberlock - ON - Firewall Rules for Unsafe Items. SmartFirewall Recommended, Require Captcha to exit.
RansomwareGuard
Periodic malware scanners
Malwarebytes
Emsisoft
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
N/A
Browsers and extensions
Primary: Edge with Osprey, uBlock Origin Lite & ESET
Secondary: Firefox with uBlock Origin & Osprey Browser Extension & ESET
Secure DNS
Quad9 DNS over HTTP
Desktop VPN
Firefox Free Built-In.
Password and passkey manager
Keepass 2.x
Maintenance tools
Windows built-in Disk Clean-up and Storage Sense.
File and photo backups
AOMEI Backupper Pro - Monthly Full Backups & Weekly Differential Backups
Subscriptions
    • None
System recovery
Lenovo Built in Recovery, AOMEI Backupper Pro Recovering Environment & Bootable USB. Weekly differential and essentials backup
Usage and exposure
    • Visiting familiar websites
    • Working from home
    • Making audio/video calls
    • Opening email attachments
    • Online shopping and card payments
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Gaming
    • Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions
Computer specs
Notable changes
See First Post Spoilers
08.02.2026 - 2026 setup - ESET Security Essentials, CyberLock, RansomwareGuard
11.03.2026 - Just minor tweak to DNS to DNS4EU servers.
15.03.2026 - Upgraded ESET to Premium
24.06.2026 - Switched DNS back to Sky DNS (Sky Shield)
23.07.2026 - Switched to Comodo Internet Security 2027
26.09.2026 - Changed DNS to Quad9
----------------------------------------
Disclaimer we use date format DD/MM/YYYY here in the UK
Feedback preference

Showcase only - no advice requested

From the setup owner View current setup
Had Local Security Authority Protection warning this morning. It was turned off. Turned it on and restarted twice but had to dismiss the warning message in the end and pagece still says "This change requires you to restart your device" but at least it's enabled. A new feature or something else going on?? Win 11

1677262707107.png
 
Had Local Security Authority Protection warning this morning. It was turned off. Turned it on and restarted twice but had to dismiss the warning message in the end and pagece still says "This change requires you to restart your device" but at least it's enabled. A new feature or something else going on?? Win 11

View attachment 273131
I have the same issue. It's mentioned here Redirecting
The fix, which I haven't tried, is here: Enable or Disable Local Security Authority (LSA) Protection in Windows 11 Tutorial
I'm hoping that MS fixes this with a future update.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
I have the same issue. It's mentioned here Redirecting
The fix, which I haven't tried, is here: Enable or Disable Local Security Authority (LSA) Protection in Windows 11 Tutorial
I'm hoping that MS fixes this with a future update.
Ah okay thanks! It had me going there for a minute this morning LOL.

EDIT: The RunAsPPL entry was there in the registry but not the RunAsPPLBoot. Adding this entry fixed the issue.

Registry entries from your Enable/Disable link:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa]
"RunAsPPL"=dword:00000002
"RunAsPPLBoot"=dword:00000002
 
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From the setup owner View current setup
Been a bit manic at this end. Reverted to complete default MD setup a bit undecided about what to go with lately. Probably Comodo's announcement of future updates has me thinking about that again and not been using the Emsisoft subscription I won much. Just kind of in limbo security wise. Bear (or bare) with me :D

I probably just need to stick with the basics of CD on High at the moment or until I do a fresh install for SAC which isn't happening soon.
 
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EDIT: The RunAsPPL entry was there in the registry but not the RunAsPPLBoot. Adding this entry fixed the issue.
Was it 1 or 2? I am wondering, whether RunAsPPLBoot entry is required. I am using (more secure?) RunAsPPL=1 and since it is UEFI locked, it should be enabled at boot? :unsure:
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Was it 1 or 2? I am wondering, whether RunAsPPLBoot entry is required. I am using (more secure?) RunAsPPL=1 and since it is UEFI locked, it should be enabled at boot? :unsure:
I think it was 2 and still is.
 
@TairikuOkami
I think it was 2 and still is.
Yes. I think both key values are the default value 2 when you enable LSA in Windows Security. The bug in Windows 11 22H2 is that the 2nd key isn't created and users get the "This change requires ..." message even after restarting machine. At least that's how I understand it.

For those who aren't so computer savvy, like myself, I found these detailed directions (Method 2) for manually adding the new key so I wouldn't have to rely on a .reg file.
 
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From the setup owner View current setup
I'm typically indecisive and a bit at a crossroads. I think I should really take advantage of that Emsisoft AV subscription and stick with that for now. It's a good product and even though it uses 600+meg of ram, it doesn't really affect my system performance with 16gb on board. Will update config tomorrow.
 
I'm typically indecisive and a bit at a crossroads. I think I should really take advantage of that Emsisoft AV subscription and stick with that for now. It's a good product and even though it uses 600+meg of ram, it doesn't really affect my system performance with 16gb on board. Will update config tomorrow.
I'm pretty sure the high RAM usage is just temporary just like with pretty much every Bitdefender Engine-based AV. I installed G-Data and had 1gb RAM usage. Now after like 3 days, it dropped down to 400 mb. Just do a full scan and dont shut down your PC for a night.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
I'm pretty sure the high RAM usage is just temporary just like with pretty much every Bitdefender Engine-based AV. I installed G-Data and had 1gb RAM usage. Now after like 3 days, it dropped down to 400 mb. Just do a full scan and dont shut down your PC for a night.
Thanks. It's settled into the 400s now. I really want to use CF but have to do a fair bit of whitelisting and allow rules. Will pick it back up again when I've had time to some more research on that ;)
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Done a lot of bouncing around between security configs this year. Trying to go back to a more simplistic route with H_C and MD or just CF and MD. Fort Firewall also a possibility if you can default block outgoing.

CF takes some tweaking apart from cruelsister settings. Firewall rules for 443 outgoing windows host apps and ports 53, 5353, 1900 & 443 outbound rules as default CF web browser preset doesn't include HTTPS, DNS, SSDP or IPv6 Neighbourhood Solicitation but maybe that's as I'm filtering IPv6 along with IPv4.

Anyway, will update the config when I settle on one :)
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Getting lots of spam lately. No new haveibeenpwned breaches must just be that time of year. The usual you've been watching... some fake tinder and other random stuff. Thankfully domain host provider spam filter is quite effective and Thunderbird catches what's missed. Does always make me paranoid but in reality it's just data from old breaches and my protection levels cover things ;)

CFW working okay though saw it not registering in Security Centre a few times but it's still doing it's job at least containing malware in simple tests. I like Emsisoft which will block malware connections and full scans taking less than 5 minutes so maybe just go with that if there's further CFW issues.
 
CFW working okay though saw it not registering in Security Centre a few times but it's still doing it's job at least containing malware in simple tests.
I like the CFW, but I hate it when the Security Center keeps reporting that the firewall is disabled and when it was the CIS that the AV is outdated and this is old this bug, although it is not so often these notifications. Me if I do not fail memory the build 6888 did not have this. I thought it was only with me that this occurred.😞
 
Getting lots of spam lately.
I was getting barraged with spam texts on my phone, multiple times a day. It took weeks of continual reporting and then they tailed off, to be very sporadically replaced by texts in Chinese. After more reporting they seem to have stopped.
 
CFW ... not registering in Security Centre a few times
I like the CFW, but I hate it when the Security Center keeps reporting that the firewall is disabled
I refuse to use anything with these kinds of bugs, even though they're minor they drive my OCD wild. 😄 Which is why I'm sticking with Windows Security.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
I refuse to use anything with these kinds of bugs, even though they're minor they drive my OCD wild. 😄 Which is why I'm sticking with Windows Security.
Yes, I have a hard time committing to Comodo fully until the apparent 2024 update that we're meant to see this summer. I'm trying out the H_C Beta 2 at the moment.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Quick update to config. Using Hard_Configurator Beta 3. Oh and a few swaps of ticks relating to PC use.

That issue I thought was H_C related regarding Thunderbird slow server issue turned out to be a email server issue and not directly related to H_C,CD,FWH.

Anyway, played around a fair bit with Comodo but had to add a lot of allow rules and I'm just sticking with MD/H_C until at least this "summer release" happens or I get more clarification about Firewall rules relating to svchost and windows apps connecting out to port 443.
 

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