Advanced Plus Security Gandalf_The_Grey's Security Configuration for 2019

Last updated
Dec 1, 2019
Windows Edition
Pro
Log-in security
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
User Access Control
Always notify
Real-time security
Ziggo Safe Online (F-Secure Safe) 17.7 and VoodooShield 5.52 beta
Firewall security
Microsoft Defender Firewall
About custom security
Removed Internet Explorer 11.
Ziggo Safe Online switched off Banking protection.
VoodooShield enabled WhitelistCloud and added the new Edge to web apps
Periodic malware scanners
HitmanPro and AdwCleaner (for the kids)
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Browser(s) and extensions
Microsoft Edge Dev with uBlock Origin, F-Secure Browsing Protection, Netcraft Extension, Certificate Info and Bitwarden.
Maintenance tools
O&O ShutUp10, Patch My PC, Autoruns, Bandizip, Driver Easy Pro, CCleaner Pro and Disk Cleanup
File and Photo backup
OneDrive, File History
System recovery
Windows system image
Risk factors
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Streaming audio/video content from shady sites
    • Working from home
    • Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions
Computer specs
Acer Aspire VN7-791G-576X
Intel Core i5-4210H
Intel HD Graphics 4600 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M
Kingston 16GB Dual-Channel DDR3 PC3-12800 RAM
Samsung SSD 850 EVO M.2 250GB
Seagate HDD ST1000LM014-1EJ164 1TB
Realtek High Definition Audio

Gandalf_The_Grey

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Apr 24, 2016
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Took a break from Kaspersky for the new year. Had already an active license for Emsisoft Anti-Malware.
Surprised how much faster my laptop is going from Kaspersky (almost at default settings) to Emsisoft (almost at default settings).
When eventually returning to Kaspersky I will tweak it for performance according to the post of @Evjl's Rain :
https://malwaretips.com/threads/kas...december-2018-report.88397/page-3#post-787210
Removed Windows Defender Browser Protection extension. So I have now only 4 extensions in Google Chrome: uBlock Origin, uBlock Origin Extra, Emsisoft Browser Security and LastPass.
 

Lightning_Brian

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Sep 1, 2017
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Great configuration there @Gandalf_The_Grey !

Have you looked into using Macrium Reflect free and viBoot (also free) together by any chance? I would highly recommend it. Read more here about Macrium Reflect Free: Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free viBoot: Macrium Software | Macrium viBoot

You could virtualize your images from Macrium Reflect free in viBoot. From there you could try stuff out as if you were working on your actual PC without changing up the actual image backup. It is very nice and nifty!
 

Gandalf_The_Grey

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Great configuration there @Gandalf_The_Grey !

Have you looked into using Macrium Reflect free and viBoot (also free) together by any chance? I would highly recommend it. Read more here about Macrium Reflect Free: Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free viBoot: Macrium Software | Macrium viBoot

You could virtualize your images from Macrium Reflect free in viBoot. From there you could try stuff out as if you were working on your actual PC without changing up the actual image backup. It is very nice and nifty!
No I haven't yet. Interesting stuff indeed (y) Thanks, I will have a look at that when I have more time to play with it. Bookmarked your links.
 

Gandalf_The_Grey

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Moonhorse

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Welcome to club, i love how detailed you have mentioned setup of Configuredefender & H_C

i will quote unofficially @oldschool and say andy has the best customer support. Nice config, cant suggest anything...just waiting for ''october 2019 update'' whatever it is called this time. for possible chromedge browser and WD changes
 

oldschool

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New config using mostly Windows own tools configured with Hard_Configurator.
Inspired by and with many thanks to: @Andy Ful , @Windows_Security and @Evjl's Rain
Still have to learn how to handle some blocks and warnings.
Best to ask those questions in the main Hard_Configurator thread ?
Update - Hard_Configurator - Windows Hardening Configurator

Yes, H_C thread is best place for questions. BTW: you copied my config! :LOL: except for VoodooShield. Nice setup! (y)

Edit: Whitelisting is easy by process or hash. My main gripe is CFA. Exclusions are possible but don't always seem to work. I'm on the fence with enabling it or not.
 
Last edited:

Gandalf_The_Grey

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Welcome to club, i love how detailed you have mentioned setup of Configuredefender & H_C

i will quote unofficially @oldschool and say andy has the best customer support. Nice config, cant suggest anything...just waiting for ''october 2019 update'' whatever it is called this time. for possible chromedge browser and WD changes
Thank you and a nice club it is (y)
I'm also looking forward to chromedge. Hope it's good and I can ditch Google chrome.
 

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