Advanced Plus Security JasonUK's PC Security Config

PC Setup Configuration Help & Showcase
21 Replies 5,960 Views
Original forum configuration · expand details
Last updated
Jan 16, 2022
Main use of this computer
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 10
On-device encryption
Not applicable
Device sign-in security
    • Account password
Security updates
Allow security updates
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Account Control (UAC)
Always notify
Smart App Control
Not applicable / not available on this device
Network firewall
N/A
Real-time protection
Avast Free (4 Core + Ransomware Shields)
Cyberlock Pro v7.x
Device firewall
Microsoft Defender Firewall
Custom security settings
Portable security / privacy applications:
- Windows Hybrid Hardening Light (Default settings) **Disabled while VS installed**
- FirewallHardening tool (LOLBins Rules)
- RunBySmartScreen
- O&O Shutup 10++ (Recommended settings)
Periodic malware scanners
KVRT, NPE, MBAM Premium, & AdwCleaner
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
N/A
Browsers and extensions
1. Brave ('Aggressive' shield level | Search Engine - Startpage) *Primary Browser*
- AdGuard AdBlocker v4
- Bitwarden
- ImTranslator (access to site on manual click only)
2. Edge ('Strict' tracking protection & 'Balanced' security mitigation settings | Search Engine - Startpage)
- AdGuard AdBlocker v4
- Bitwarden
Secure DNS
Quad9 over DoH (Using YogaDNS client)
Desktop VPN
Windscribe (rarely used)
Password and passkey manager
KeePass XC
Bitwarden
Maintenance tools
Wise Care 365
Autoruns
SUMo
Revo & HiBit Uninstallers
Eraser
Windows Repair All-In-One (Tweaking.com)
File and photo backups
Allway Sync to second internal HD
Copies on external HDs
Ransomware Protection personal folders (currently Avast Free previously WVSX v3.x)
Subscriptions
    • None
System recovery
Macrium Home v8 (Paid Licence) - Full backups every second day to secondary HD (Image Guardian protection), weekly to external HD
Wise Data Recovery
Usage and exposure
    • Visiting familiar websites
    • Working from home
    • Opening email attachments
    • Online shopping and card payments
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions
Computer specs
Asus Desktop
i5-4460S @ 2.90GHz
16GB RAM
Twin 2TB HDs
Notable changes
18Jan22 - Replaced AdGuard AdBlocker extension with AdGuard for Windows. Secure DNS still Quad9 but through AdGuard for Windows rather than YogaDNS.
13Feb22 - Replaced WD+ConfigureDefender & WSVX with Avast Free (Core & Ransomware shields) & MBAM Premium. WVSX retained as a periodic scanner.
10Mar22 - Replaced Avast Free & MBAM with WD+ConfigureDefender ('High') & WSVX 3.05. MBAM & Avast Free (in 'Passive' mode) retained as periodic scanners.
20Mar22 - Replaced WD+ConfigureDefender & WSVX with Avast Free (Core & Ransomware shields) & VoodooShield Free v7. WVSX retained as a periodic scanner.
22Mar22 - Replaced AdGuard for Windows with AdGuard Adblocker v4 extension now it's a final release. Secure DNS-Quad9 now via YogaDNS rather than AdGuard.
04May22 - Removed VoodooShield Free v7.06. Enabled Avast's Hardened Mode.
06May22 - Reversed last change as I was one of the lucky recipients of a free VS Pro licence from Dan!
17Feb23 - Deleted WVSX as periodic scanner.
13May24 - SWH replaced with WHHL. Tor Browser deleted. Purchased lifetime licence for Cyberlock
Feedback preference

Suggestions on the main improvements

Pretty much nothing has changed since last updated active software 2yrs ago so something must be working okay :) Minor changes: swapped Simple Windows Hardening for Windows Hybrid Hardening Light, deleted Tor Browser which I rarely used and I purchased a lifetime licence for Cyberlock. This desktop PC doesn't meet Windows 11 upgrade requirements so it'll stay like this (probably) until either Windows 10 support ends next year or it goes kaput... then I'll think about it again!
 
Last edited:

Recently browsing

Members who viewed this thread in the last 5 minutes

You may also like...

Continue exploring the conversation.

Back
Top