Advanced Security M4RT1NE2 Security Configuration 2024

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Thread details
Last updated
Feb 20, 2023
Main use of this computer
For home and private use
Operating system
macOS 15 Sequoia
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
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Account Control (UAC)
Always notify
Smart App Control
On
Network firewall
Enabled
Real-time protection
Microsoft Defender + WHHL
Device firewall
Microsoft Defender Firewall
Custom security settings
Auto playback - disabled
O&O shut up 11 (recommended settings)
O&O App Buster ((system slimmed down)
Periodic malware scanners
Scan once a month using the following scanners:
  • EMSISOFT
  • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • NPE
  • KVRT
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
None
Browsers and extensions
Google Chrome with
  • Ublock Origin
  • AVG Online Security
Secure DNS
Quad9 DNS
Desktop VPN
Windscribe VPN
Password and passkey manager
KeePass 2.x
Maintenance tools
HiBit Uninstaller
BleachBit
CCleaner
File and photo backups
Hasleo Backup Suite
AOMEI Backupper Standard
Subscriptions
    • None
System recovery
Once every fortnight, the entire system partition is copied to an external drive.
Usage and exposure
    • Visiting familiar websites
    • Visiting unknown or untrusted 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
ACER AN515-54-551F
Feedback preference

Suggestions on the main improvements

Asterixpl said:
Due to the fact that Macrium Reflect Free will be suspended from January 2023, I am switching to AOMEII BACKUPPER PRO (the web is full of one-year free licences). The free version of AOMEII lacks a boot menu for restoring copies (as the free Macrium had) hence the decision to use the PRO version from the free codes.
Click to expand...
The real deal is Macrium Reflect Home (Black Friday offer ends tomorrow), because i. you know it works, and ii. you trust it, else you would not have used the Free version for this long. Is there any reason why you cannot upgrade to the Home edition?


Some comments regarding AOMEI Pro.
Sorrento said:
I have two lifetime licences & moved to Macrium Pro after AOMEI failed on two separate machines over year or two I even defended AOMEI on here - If an imaging program fails it's time to move on - Since I moved to Macrium I've had no problems at all - Sorry AOMEI but that how I've found things.
Click to expand...
Source

I Walk MY Way said:
A am in the failed by AOMEI club too now I have 3 backup software, AOMEI, Macrium, Acronis,
Click to expand...
Source

Anyone can slap a Pro label on anything, does not mean it's Professional nor better.
 
Asterixpl said:
I see the code from November this year. It has been correctly entered.
How can I check until when the licence is operational ?
Click to expand...
it states that its a one year license , so my guess is that the program will be activated as "pro" untill november 2023 if you click the crown logo on the top right of the main gui , you will see the text " limited time license " no end date whatsoever unfotunately.
 
Nautilus said:
maybe this giveaway is still active ;)


www.techno360.in

AOMEI Backupper Pro Free 1-Year License (Full Version)

Get AOMEI Backupper Pro free for 1 year. Back up, clone and restore Windows, disks and files with scheduled backups. License and activation steps.
www.techno360.in www.techno360.in
Click to expand...

The 3rd licence key from this website does still work, I got same key even for AOMEI giveaway here in Germany.
Note: I prefer using Macrium Reflect Home ;)
 
Some users in this forum have posted that AOMEI could not finished a restoration sometimes, so Macrium is more reliable, I would go for Macrium Home, great deal until 1th of Dec: 50%

I'm using Home licence since 2017 and NEVER failed me, last time this morning in a costumer system :)
 
I already know that Macrium is one of the best. I don't want to buy any more software - unless I get it as a gift :).

And what do you think about EASEUS TODO Backup Free ??.
I have never had it. Is it worth having it or rather not ??

For the time being I'm looking for free alternatives in making copies of my system.
 
Back3 said:
Check the part about Macrium free alternatives
www.ghacks.net

Backup software Macrium Reflect Free is being retired - gHacks Tech News

Macrium Reflect Free, a backup application, is going to be retired on January 1, 2024. Here are alternatives that you may use instead!
www.ghacks.net www.ghacks.net
Click to expand...


I have seen the juxtaposition. Thanks for the reminder. I had bad memories with Paragon.
Rescuezilla - never used it. Maybe it's worth getting into ?

As for Aomeii. I used to have it on a PC and had no problems with it ( making a copy of the system, restoring the system from a copy). So I don't know now why the negative reviews about it. It is known that Macrium was faster to make copies for me.....
 
Asterixpl said:
I am testing Veeam Agent For Windows Free for Windows 11 backups . It looks pretty promising.

Any opinions on Veeam?
Click to expand...
One should probably check/search deeper on the credential vulnerability as it's an issue that been reported about 2020 and now also 2022.

malwaretips.com

Noberus Ransomware: Darkside and BlackMatter Successor Continues to Evolve its Tactics

New version of Exmatter, and Eamfo malware, used by attackers deploying the Rust-based ransomware. Attackers deploying the Noberus (aka BlackCat, ALPHV) ransomware have been using new tactics, tools, and procedures (TTPs) in recent months, making the threat more dangerous than ever. Among some...
malwaretips.com malwaretips.com
symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com

Noberus Ransomware: Darkside and BlackMatter Successor Continues to Evolve its Tactics

New version of Exmatter, and Eamfo malware, used by attackers deploying the Rust-based ransomware.
symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com
 
HBS works great. Today 01.01.2023 I restored the system. Everything went ok and fast.

I have an annual licence for Ashampoo Backup 17 Pro. What do you think of it ?

There is very little information about Ashampoo Backup on the web. Is it worthy of interest?
 
I installed the Ashampoo Backup 17 Pro product. But this soft is at the very beginning not for me. It takes a very long time to create copies of Windows 11. I do not risk restoring my system with this program. There is little information on the web about this product. Despite having a one-year key, I will not risk using it on a daily basis.

So the uninstallation of Ashampoo Backup 17 Pro follows.
I have always been a faithful user of MRF until they decided to discontinue the FREE version.

I searched for a long time for an alternative. The first best one (according to the users) fell on Aomeii Backupper (there are often annual free promotions).

More recently, I searched for Hasleo Backup Suite. Completely free of charge. Lots of positive reviews of this programme on the web. I took a risk installed and am satisfied. The interface is in my language PL. The speed of creation, restoration of copies is very good.

The system restore was successful :).

For the New Year 2023, my laptop security measures are as follows as described
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have Ashampoo Backup Pro 15 sitting and taking up space on this laptop. Until today, I'd never used it and forgot it was even here. It was a free giveaway a couple of years ago, and free attracts me.

I ran a backup, the first, just for curiosity. One hour from start to finish for 54.9G of data. That's the slowest I've ever encountered. I have not tried a restore, nor have I made a rescue disk since this was just a test to see if it really was a slow as people have said. I did unclick pause feature in Settings, so while it was leisurely doddering along I could use the laptop.

I really like the ease of setting up a backup plan. It's so simple that even I didn't make a mistake. The other companies should take note. If Ashampoo could speed things up by half, it could become my primary backup software. This, of course, is with a hard disk drive. SSDs would be much quicker, but I'm cheap and this old HDD is still in good shape, so adding an SSD will have to wait.
 
After abandoning the MRF, my copies now execute smoothly and with peace of mind about the security of execution through 2 independent programs:

- Hasleo Backup Suite
- Active @Disk Image Lite

Somehow I don't trust Aomei Backupper. Too many negative reviews.

Of the aforementioned programs - these 2 meet my expectations.

As far as Ashampoo Backup is concerned, for me the program is a failure. Long creation and errors when restoring.

I have peace of mind with backups for the time being ;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
When it comes to using Active @Disk Image, you need to create a rescue media because the Lite (free) version does not have this option. But making a copy of the system takes a few moments. Restores the same. Checked. I recommend.

HBS is also fast and has a restore option (as a menu added to start, or removable media).

I recommend both. Proven software. Excellent replacements for Macrium Free.

Link to create a rescue disk for Active @Disk Image

Works perfectly with Windows 11

Restoring images on Windows 8 system that support EFI

Here is a method to boot up a Windows 8 system that supports EFI and Secure Boot.
www.disk-image.com www.disk-image.com
 

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