Malware Maniac's Security Config

[Malware Maniac]

Haven't actually used this site in half a decade. Go ahead and be critical if you wish, I feel pretty secure with my current laptop setup. I don't do very many malicious things.

A couple of details I wish to have noted here is I have updated my registry to account for group policy to do the following:

• Disable Windows Defender real-time scanner.
• Disable auto restarts for Windows Updates.
• Disable the auto installation of third party application via Windows Store sponsors.

I have disabled the Windows Defender Notification Icon on startup. All accounts I can have Two Factor Authentication allowed through an authenticator app have the setting enabled. I practice common sense tactics and ensure software I use on my system is reasonably safe.

I'm cheap, so most of the software I use are free (not cracked or pirated). I feel with the security configuration I currently have, and the sites I frequently visit, I am safe from most of the malware attacks that may occur.

I have made a Security Configuration in the past, however, the last time I touched the thread was probably in 2012. The thread is currently in the archive.

 

[PCGamer]

Please Consider Backups
Overall great config Thanks for sharing!

 

[Arequire]

Suggestions:

• Set UAC to Always Notify
• Switch Adblock Plus to uBlock Origin or Adguard
• Make a backup of your most important data
• Create a system image backup using Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper

Besides that your config's solid.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Rengar]

UAC to max
ZAM to on demand
You can, IF YOU WANT, to replace adblock plus with Ublock Origin.

 

[askmark]

To protect your laptop from data corruption or hardware failure I would consider backing up your system with imaging software like Macrium Reflect free edition.

Thanks for sharing your config.

 

[Xsjx]

Haven't actually used this site in half a decade. Go ahead and be critical if you wish, I feel pretty secure with my current laptop setup. I don't do very many malicious things.

A couple of details I wish to have noted here is I have updated my registry to account for group policy to do the following:

• Disable Windows Defender real-time scanner.
• Disable auto restarts for Windows Updates.
• Disable the auto installation of third party application via Windows Store sponsors.

I have disabled the Windows Defender Notification Icon on startup. All accounts I can have Two Factor Authentication allowed through an authenticator app have the setting enabled. I practice common sense tactics and ensure software I use on my system is reasonably safe.

I'm cheap, so most of the software I use are free (not cracked or pirated). I feel with the security configuration I currently have, and the sites I frequently visit, I am safe from most of the malware attacks that may occur.

I have made a Security Configuration in the past, however, the last time I touched the thread was probably in 2012. The thread is currently in the archive.

Backups

You already have avast free so no need to have the browser extension
If you want you can add Avira Browser safety but its just about if you need it or you feel safe enough

 

[frogboy]

I would recommend Macrium Reflect as the best free backup solution.

 

[Handsome Recluse]

Please Consider Backups
Overall great config Thanks for sharing!

He already has OneDrive though.
@Malware Maniac Why the different content blockers for different browsers?

 

[Malware Maniac]

He already has OneDrive though.
@Malware Maniac Why the different content blockers for different browsers?

Browsers and Extensions:
Chrome (Default) - HTTPS Everywhere, Web of Trust, ABP + LP.
Opera - LP
Edge - ABP + LP
FireFox - None.

Preferred Search Engine: Google
Password Manager: LastPass
Content Blocker (Ads, Scripts, Trackers): AdBlock Plus, Avast Online Security Extension

What do you mean? ABP is AdBlock Plus (which I am changing over to uBlock) and LP is LastPass. I try to keep things consistent through my different browsers.

Also, I do not have spare hard drives or flash drives laying around for me to do backups.

 

[frogboy]

You could have a look at Freeware to Create Recovery Partition on Hard Drive | AOMEI OneKey Recovery Free it will even help make a new partition for you.

 

[Winter Soldier]

Also, I do not have spare hard drives or flash drives laying around for me to do backups.

If you have personal data like files, photos, accounts, etc, I think it is reasonable to invest in some external support to secure these data.
It is your choice, of course.

 

[Handsome Recluse]

What do you mean? ABP is AdBlock Plus (which I am changing over to uBlock) and LP is LastPass. I try to keep things consistent through my different browsers.

Also, I do not have spare hard drives or flash drives laying around for me to do backups.

Oh. I thought you had 2 browsers with adblock and two without. Didn't see Chrome's ABP. I just thought it was weird.
Can you normally install uBlock Origin on Edge?
It's okay though. You might want to consider another cloud if data is important using something like IFTTT for example. The extra redundancy might be useful in case of a bad day which doesn't just include malware and is probably the unlikely cause anyway.

 

[askmark]

Also, I do not have spare hard drives or flash drives laying around for me to do backups.

In that case consider saving up to buy an external usb drive. It will be money well spent. You should not underestimate the value of having system backups.

 

[Malware Maniac]

You could have a look at Freeware to Create Recovery Partition on Hard Drive | AOMEI OneKey Recovery Free it will even help make a new partition for you.

Wait, would that be the RECOVERY (D drive I have on my computer when I first got it, that I have no clue what it does?

Guessing HP had that preinstalled on my Operating System.

Edit: What's the escape key so the emojis don't pick up on the : ) as a smile?

 

[frogboy]

Wait, would that be the

RECOVERY (D:)

drive I have on my computer when I first got it, that I have no clue what it does?

Guessing HP had that preinstalled on my Operating System.

No you can check it out here. Download AOMEI OneKey Recovery - MajorGeeks

 

[Hector1]

Please consider data backup and system backup software (You can try Aomei Free or Macrium reflect free).
Consider virtualization software like Sandoboxie for Browsing, an anti exe (Voodoshield free is good) and a firewall for outbound contol (optional)

 

[askmark]

Wait, would that be the

RECOVERY (D:)

drive I have on my computer when I first got it, that I have no clue what it does?

Guessing HP had that preinstalled on my Operating System.

That drive contains an image of your laptop as it was when you bought it. It enables you, if required, to restore your laptop to its factory default settings.

 

[Malware Maniac]

Haha, got the Caution tag.

I'm guessing it's for having Windows Defender disabled. I can't possibly believe that it's just because I don't have a backup solution, is it?

 

[DJ Panda]

Haha, got the Caution tag.

I'm guessing it's for having Windows Defender disabled. I can't possibly believe that it's just because I don't have a backup solution, is it?

Eh you'd be surprised. Although it would be decent to have WD enabled for scanning having a backup solution is one of the most needed things out there. Even with a top config .01% of malware might get through and delete your files. I'd recommend installing PCloud, Mega, or Google Drive as some backup solutions.

 

[Handsome Recluse]

Haha, got the Caution tag.

I'm guessing it's for having Windows Defender disabled. I can't possibly believe that it's just because I don't have a backup solution, is it?

Don't you already have Avast installed?

Eh you'd be surprised. Although it would be decent to have WD enabled for scanning having a backup solution is one of the most needed things out there. Even with a top config .01% of malware might get through and delete your files. I'd recommend installing PCloud, Mega, or Google Drive as some backup solutions.

I think hardware failures or availability are a likelier scenario in this case.