Advanced Plus Security McLovins' Config 2026

[McLovin]

FAQ:

Q: Why do you use Trend Micro all the time?
A: I believe that the protection for me is enough. Also been using it for years.

Q: What phone do you have?
A: Currently it's the iPhone 16 Pro Max. My phone configuration can be found here.

Q: What do you do on your computer?
A: I work from home full time as a Platform Engineer, but in my spare time I build websites and offer IT Support to my small client base.

 

[harlan4096]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Great config, thanks for posting

Malware Scanners: Norton Power Eraser and Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool are better than Malwarebytes and HitmanPro according to testing done by @cruelsister
Extensions: why 3 adblocking extensions? I would keep only uBlock Origin.
Secure DNS: I would recommend Cloudflare for families malware blocking only (1.1.1.2).
Fast and blocks some malware, others like Quad9 and dns0.eu (based on NextDNS) gave me issues (blocked portal of my GP).

 

[McLovin]

Great config, thanks for posting

Malware Scanners: Norton Power Eraser and Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool are better than Malwarebytes and HitmanPro according to testing done by @cruelsister
Extensions: why 3 adblocking extensions? I would keep only uBlock Origin.
Secure DNS: I would recommend Cloudflare for families malware blocking only (1.1.1.2).
Fast and blocks some malware, others like Quad9 and dns0.eu (based on NextDNS) gave me issues (blocked portal of my GP).

I do have Norton Power Eraser in my tools, but tend not to use it much.
Also to note, I don’t do antivirus testing these days, so threat level has significantly decreased.

You say tests done by cruelsister, are they reputable tests done?

As for extensions, I’ve been using 3 for years now and those same 3. I do like Ghostery over rest of them. Plus with the custom features and blocking in Brave.

I have looked into Cloudflare. I run that on my own website and have had no issues.
Might have to look into it.

 

[Jonny Quest]

I do have Norton Power Eraser in my tools, but tend not to use it much.
Also to note, I don’t do antivirus testing these days, so threat level has significantly decreased.

You say tests done by cruelsister, are they reputable tests done?

An easier way to check out some of her videos is through her YouTube channel. They are of course posted on MTs, but this simplifies a search for them And yes, they are reputable, easy to follow and understand along with some fantastic background music as a bonus.

cruelsister1

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

www.youtube.com

 

[Victor M]

Erase the version #'s you posted. Hackers love that kind of thing.

 

[ForgottenSeer 109138]

Erase the version #'s you posted. Hackers love that kind of thing.

I mean, to be fair, they already know exactly what's on his system and how its secured they are just missing the blue prints, just like all other security configs here

 

[Victor M]

Yes, all other configs give out their security layers, but having the exact version number makes it possible to locate exploits. Exploits usually work only for specific version #s.

 

[jerzy601]

If you have uBlock Origin, in my opinion you don't need Adblock Plus or Ghostery, just add TrafficLight.

 

[Jonny Quest]

Erase the version #'s you posted. Hackers love that kind of thing.

Okay, so from this forum, how do they find his PC even if they have version numbers? How do they exploit a PC from a forum (information) where there is no PC link of an IP or mac address and is a fictitious user name?

 

[ForgottenSeer 109138]

Okay, so from this forum, how do they find his PC even if they have version numbers? How do they exploit a PC from a forum (information) where there is no PC link of an IP or mac address and is a fictitious user name?

Although I rolled my eyes up above, to be fair, a skilled hacker could find both servers from this website, look for exploitable entry in the servers and the data housed on them, where the website itself maintains email address, IP's, along with users names and then combine the knowledge of openly placing your security configuration would arm them with enough knowledge to attempt on those IPs.

Thus the current "good habits" campaign I've been on about being diligent with what information one divulges on the internet.

Although its highly unlikely a skilled hacker would do this for a home users as stated before, its not lucrative like a giant target would be.

 

[Victor M]

not lucrative like a giant target would be.

Unless the organisation that the OP works for is being footprinted. The Lastpass hack involved attacking an admin employee at his home, and the attackers worked their way from there back to the organisation.

 

[ForgottenSeer 109138]

Unless the organisation that the OP works for is being footprinted. The Lastpass hack involved attacking an admin employee at his home, and the attackers worked their way from there back to the organisation.

That's a highly targeted attack and rare for home users, you don't hear about it happening too often to every day folk, and how they obtained his true information to attack him at home would need revealed into how they found him.

Although a security based forum not keeping an eye on its servers would certainly be something to raise an eyebrow on, I highly doubt the above mentioned is going to affect the users with alternative user names showing configuration.

P.s. if this is a topic all would like to discuss we should move it to a personalized thread so as to not hijack mclovins config thread.

 

[McLovin]

Erase the version #'s you posted. Hackers love that kind of thing.

I understand your concern with this, but the chance someone “hacks” my system is slim.

Unless the organisation that the OP works for is being footprinted. The Lastpass hack involved attacking an admin employee at his home, and the attackers worked their way from there back to the organisation.

I do not work from home for the company I work for, and any personal activities are not done on my work assets while at work.

If you have uBlock Origin, in my opinion you don't need Adblock Plus or Ghostery, just add TrafficLight.

I’ll have to have a look this weekend. I’m more leaning towards Ghostery.

 

[McLovin]

Completely did an overhaul of my setup.
Moved completely away from Windows 11, to Linux Mint.
Happy for some recommendations for Linux Mint.

 

[lokamoka820]

Completely did an overhaul of my setup.
Moved completely away from Windows 11, to Linux Mint.
Happy for some recommendations for Linux Mint.

 

[McLovin]

Thanks for that Lokamoka820.
Not sure why I didn't make the move to Linux years and years ago.
Love it so far.

 

[McLovin]

Configuration has been updated for 2026.

 

[harlan4096]

System recovery: We tested the best Mac backup software - here's what we recommend

 

[McLovin]

System recovery: We tested the best Mac backup software - here's what we recommend

Ahh, yeah I have looked into this (Time Machine)
It's the simplest solution for macOS.

Thanks for this!