Advanced Plus Security Minimalist's Security Config 2022

Last updated
Sep 12, 2022
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 11
On-device encryption
Log-in security
    • Biometrics (Windows Hello PIN, TouchID, Face, Iris, Fingerprint)
Security updates
Check for updates and Notify
User Access Control
Always notify
Smart App Control
Network firewall
Enabled
Real-time security
Eset Nod32 Antivirus
Firewall security
Microsoft Defender Firewall
About custom security
Macrium: Image Guardian is enabled and configured
Periodic malware scanners
HitmanPro
Norton Power Eraser
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Browser(s) and extensions
Firefox with uBlock Origin
Desktop VPN
Mullvad
Password manager
KeePass
Maintenance tools
CCleaner and ShutUp10
File and Photo backup
Daily backup using Macrium Reflect and weekly backup to external disk and to Icedrive
System recovery
Macrium Reflect Home
Risk factors
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Browsing to unknown / untrusted / shady sites
    • Working from home
    • Opening email attachments
    • Buying from online stores, entering banks card details
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Sharing and receiving files and torrents
Computer specs
HP EliteDesk 800 G5 TWR
• Intel Core i7-9700 CPU @ 3.00GHz
• Intel UHD Graphics 630
• DDR4 32 GB @ 2667 MHz
• 2x 500 GB SSD + 4TB HDD
Notable changes
1.1.2022 - original post
3.2.2022 - added IceDrive for online backup
AVs used and tested during 2022: Eset, Emsisoft, Bitdefender, AVG
20.8.2022 - decided to go with Eset
What I'm looking for?

Looking for minimum feedback.

Minimalist

Level 9
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
439
I liked it a lot. Not sure if you play games. The only downside I found was it reproducibly did reduce high frame rates a bit ~8%.
No I don't play games so I don't expect to have this problem.
I installed only main protection components and so far it's really light. It also offers just enough settings to tweak it's protection (y)
 

Minimalist

Level 9
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
439
I am using AVG Internet for 2 weeks now and it's excellent. Super light. Easy to configure. Dark mode option. Persistently top-tier results at testing organizations such as AV-Comparatives.
It's light on my system also. It's only slowing down my shutdown/reboot process.
I believe that dark mode is not optional but instead it's only mode available? Or did I miss some setting?
 
  • Like
Reactions: JB007

Minimalist

Level 9
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
439
Eset's products run lightest on my system in default configuration. Still I decided to configure it to be even lighter. So I made those changes:

Installed Eset Nod32 AV instead of IS.
Detection engine - Reporting for Malware and Suspicious application set to Aggressive
Real-time file system protection - disabled options Scan on file open and creation, left on execution
Process exclusions - added Macrium Reflect backup process to list
Livegrid Feedback system disabled, Reputation system enabled
HIPS - set to Smart mode
HIPS - added rules from [KB6119] Configure HIPS rules for ESET business products to protect against ransomware (8.x – 9.x) (Ask mode)
Web and Email - excluded Firefox from protocol filtering
Email Client protection - Cleaning set to always ask end-user
Few changes in User interface and Notifications
 

Minimalist

Level 9
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
439
May I ask:
Why this setting : "Web and Email - excluded Firefox from protocol filtering"
I don't like my AV to perform scanning on network level. By excluding my browser network traffic from FF is not scanned. It also slightly improves browsing speed but OTOH it slightly lowers protection level.
 
F

ForgottenSeer 94943

Few days ago had another case of Emsisoft service hogging one CPU core for longer period of time. It usually happened during software updates and similar but this time IDK what caused it.
Since they decided to focus on enterprise market I decided that I will switch to Eset.
I would suggest that you contact support and provide them with the logs they need. In my case Emsisoft's support was very helpful.
 

Minimalist

Level 9
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
439
I would suggest that you contact support and provide them with the logs they need. In my case Emsisoft's support was very helpful.
It would probably be hard to pinpoint what happened since I don't know how to reproduce it. I've had similar problem before with a2start consuming CPU but I knew how to reproduce it. Not this time. Having logging enabled for longer period of time, hoping that problem will reappear is not something I want to do.
I agree that their support through mail is helpful but I still miss their forum.
It's not a big deal for me since I like Eset also.
 

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