Advanced Plus Security Gandalf_The_Grey's Security Config 2021

[blackice]

Priorities! Btw, smart choice.

Spoiler

I was going to say the same thing! That’s an upgrade you won’t regret.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Priorities! Btw, smart choice.

Spoiler

Where did you find that video from me in the showroom?

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Thanks to @harlan4096 posting here: Updates - K2021.3 (MR3) testing ends... I downloaded the latest (Dutch) Kaspersky Security Cloud Free.
Changelog: What's new
Removed HitmanPro and enabled Microsoft Defender periodic scanning.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Solved my issue with black spots etc.

It turned out that I had some time ago enabled the high-performance settings for some apps and they used the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M card.
After turning that off all programs are now using the built-in Intel HD Graphics 4600 and no more graphical anomalies occur.
All this troubleshooting also showed that the Samsung SSD 850 EVO was showing elevated temperatures.

A clean install of Windows 10, adding back the Acer Quick Access program to enable CoolBoost and enabling RAPID mode in Samsung Magician brought the temperatures down.

The Acer Coolboost application is designed to improve system cooling by increasing the fan speed during heavy use.

Found the latest Acer Quick Access especially signed for Windows 10 on the support page of a newer Acer laptop and that version will be (and is) automatically updated through the Windows store. No risk for running an outdated version anymore.

So, back once again to built-in security configured by Andy's tools.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Found the latest Acer Quick Access especially signed for Windows 10 on the support page of a newer Acer laptop and that version will be (and is) automatically updated through the Windows store. No risk for running an outdated version anymore.

Does it work with specific Acer laptop models? If it works on all Acer laptops I would appreciate it if you share the link to download it. Thank you.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Does it work with specific Acer laptop models? If it works on all Acer laptops I would appreciate it if you share the link to download it. Thank you.

I think it works only with some Acer laptops like the Nitro series that are advertised with CoolBoost, but you can always try...
I went to the support page of the latest Nitro AN515-55 and downloaded the latest Quick Access Application (version 3.00.3014 ).
It is under "Application" at this page:

Product Support | Acer United States

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I think it works only with some Acer laptops like the Nitro series that are advertised with CoolBoost, but you can always try...
I went to the support page of the latest Nitro AN515-55 and downloaded the latest Quick Access Application (version 3.00.3014 ).
It is under "Application" at this page:

Product Support | Acer United States

View attachment 256143

This is the one I found for my product Acer ES1-572 but it is too old.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

This is the one I found for my product Acer ES1-572 but it is too old.

Yes, then you can use the new version, if your current version has CoolBoost, the new version also has CoolBoost.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Yes, then you can use the new version, if your current version has CoolBoost, the new version also has CoolBoost.

I never heard about CoolBoost before and I do not think that my laptop supports it. My laptop fan is a but noisy and I hope I can find an option to play with.

 

[SeriousHoax]

ConfigureDefender 30.0.0.1 High settings

Noticed a typo It should be 3.0.0.1. Though the version number isn't too important here.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

My mother-in-law had some problems with her laptop.
She uses KPN Veilig (a F-Secure SAFE rebrand from her ISP KPN) so I installed Ziggo Safe Online (a F-Secure SAFE rebrand from my ISP Ziggo) on my laptop to see if that could be the cause. That software change caused absolutely no problems for me, and I quite like it.

In the thread of the (now deleted?) review done by the (now deleted?) user @McMcbrad we came the conclusion that the Simple Windows Hardening tool from @Andy Ful is a great companion that adds protection especially against Java malware (by not allowing it to run).

So, for the time being this is my new combo: Ziggo Safe Online and Simple Windows Hardening.
Safe and Simple

The recent DNS discussions reminded me to add Quad9 DNS to my router to protect all devices in my household.

 

[Kongo]

My mother-in-law had some problems with her laptop.
She uses KPN Veilig (a F-Secure SAFE rebrand from her ISP KPN) so I installed Ziggo Safe Online (a F-Secure SAFE rebrand from my ISP Ziggo) on my laptop to see if that could be the cause. That software change caused absolutely no problems for me, and I quite like it.

In the thread of the (now deleted?) review done by the (now deleted?) user @McMcbrad we came the conclusion that the Simple Windows Hardening tool from @Andy Ful is a great companion that adds protection especially against Java malware (by not allowing it to run).

So, for the time being this is my new combo: Ziggo Safe Online and Simple Windows Hardening.
Safe and Simple

The recent DNS discussions reminded me to add Quad9 DNS to my router to protect all devices in my household.

I think Simple Windows Hardening is a great companion for every AV, not only F-Secure aka. Ziggo. AV + SWH is pretty much all you need imo. It doesn't intervene in the protection of the AV unlike many "compatible" Anti-Malware solutions.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I think Simple Windows Hardening is a great companion for every AV, not only F-Secure aka. Ziggo. AV + SWH is pretty much all you need imo. It doesn't intervene in the protection of the AV unlike many "compatible" Anti-Malware solutions.

Of course, you are right

 

[Zartarra]

Oh great Gandalf the Wise,

Can you compare Trend Micro HomeCare with Sophos XG home or PFSense? Or is HomeCare just offering basic functions?

 

[FireHammer]

Very nice conservative Security Configuration IMHO, and F-Secure or Kaspersky is what I would have chosen myself if the brand Bitdefender has not existed, Thanks for sharing.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Oh great Gandalf the Wise,

Can you compare Trend Micro HomeCare with Sophos XG home or PFSense? Or is HomeCare just offering basic functions?

IMO it just offers basic functions, but every layer helps
More info:

TP-Link

TP-Link HomeCare TM powered by Trend Micro TM provides a kit of features to help you create a personalized, secure network that caters for the whole family. Features include Antivirus, Parental Controls and QoS (quality of service).

www.tp-link.com

 

[Zartarra]

IMO it just offers basic functions, but every layer helps
More info:

TP-Link

TP-Link HomeCare TM powered by Trend Micro TM provides a kit of features to help you create a personalized, secure network that caters for the whole family. Features include Antivirus, Parental Controls and QoS (quality of service).

www.tp-link.com

Thanks for the info.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I just had big problems connecting to internet, maybe caused by a bad update from F-Secure...
So, (sorry @Morro) Ziggo Safe Online is uninstalled and back (again) to Microsoft Defender Antivirus enhanced by Andy's tools.
No more connection problems

 

[Morro]

I just had big problems connecting to internet, maybe caused by a bad update from F-Secure...
So, (sorry @Morro) Ziggo Safe Online is uninstalled and back (again) to Microsoft Defender Antivirus enhanced by Andy's tools.
No more connection problems

LoL thanks for the warning, I will keep an eye on it, if it happens to me as well I will return to KSC Free.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Google was driving me nuts with consent popups and YouTube video pauses.
ublock Origin while using AdGuard's annoyances filter didn't block/solve that.
With the AdGuard extension no more Google annoyances

In the test discussed here: Q&A - Evaluate your content blocker with Ad Block Tester AdGuard (with optimized filters didn't get 100%.
Enabling the EasyPrivacy filter took care of that and in the filter logs you can clearly see it doing its work.

I have the following eight filters enabled:

AdGuard Base filter, AdGuard Tracking Protection filter, EasyPrivacy, AdGuard Social Media filter, AdGuard Annoyances filter, AdGuard Dutch filter and from Yuki2718: AdGuard Social media Plus and AdGuard Tracking Protection Plus

By using optimized filters, I have now 70106 rules.