Advanced Plus Security Minimalist's Security Configuration 2025

Last updated
Dec 29, 2024
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 11
On-device encryption
N/A
Log-in security
    • Biometrics (Windows Hello PIN, TouchID, Face, Iris, Fingerprint)
Security updates
Check for updates and Notify
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Access Control
Always notify
Smart App Control
Off
Network firewall
Enabled
Real-time security
Eset Nod32 Antivirus
Firewall security
Microsoft Defender Firewall
About custom security
Some minor changes to ESET's default configuration.
Periodic malware scanners
Norton Power Eraser
HitmanPro
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
N/A
Browser(s) and extensions
Firefox with uBlock Origin
Secure DNS
Cloudflare ( 1.1.1.1 ; 1.0.0.1 )
Desktop VPN
Mullvad VPN
Password manager
KeePass
Maintenance tools
CCleaner
ShutUp10
AppBuster
HP Image Assistant
File and Photo backup
Daily backup with Macrium Reflect + weekly manual backup to external HDD
Subscriptions
    • None
System recovery
Macrium Reflect - daily backup using Grandparent - Parent - Child backup scheme.
Risk factors
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Working from home
    • Making audio/video calls
    • Opening email attachments
    • Buying from online stores, entering banks card details
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions
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
What I'm looking for?

Looking for minimum feedback.

Kongo

Level 37
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Feb 25, 2017
2,614
This my security configuration for 2024. I most likely won't change it much as I didn't in 2023.
Love the simplicity, but I just don't feel ready to do the same yet.
Just one thing you might want to change. HitmanPro's developement stagnated in the last few years, and it really isn't effective against all kinds of malicious scripts.
You might want to try X-Sec as the developer @xywcloud is a MalwareTips member, and as the product is quite effective: X-Sec Antivirus
 
F

ForgottenSeer 100397

Ah!... Behold the rare breed of individuals who avoid—the dreaded butt-crack exposure, hairstyles that could double as lethal weapons, clothes that resemble patchwork quilts, and blinding yellow socks and orange shoes—"The Beauty of Minimalism in Configurations!" ;):)

I appreciate the Minimalist vibe of your configuration! :)
 

Minimalist

Level 10
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
463
Love the simplicity, but I just don't feel ready to do the same yet.
Just one thing you might want to change. HitmanPro's developement stagnated in the last few years, and it really isn't effective against all kinds of malicious scripts.
You might want to try X-Sec as the developer @xywcloud is a MalwareTips member, and as the product is quite effective: X-Sec Antivirus
Thank you for your suggestion. I will give it a try.
 

Vitali Ortzi

Level 28
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Dec 12, 2016
1,795
I updated info about my configuration for beginning of 2025. I did not make much changes in 2024 and I also don't have a plan to change much in 2025.
Eset Nod32 Antivirus is great and should have lower performance impact then defender while having better detection , prevention
Your machine has great specs too so I'm certain you have a great experience
 

Minimalist

Level 10
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
463
Eset Nod32 Antivirus is great and should have lower performance impact then defender while having better detection , prevention
Your machine has great specs too so I'm certain you have a great experience
I haven't tested how my system performs while using Defender for a long time now, but the last time I compared them Eset had lower impact on performance. Especially when performing file related operations Defender had quite an impact on performance. Yes, performance wise experience with Eset is excellent and I also like how I rarely get any false positive.
 

Vitali Ortzi

Level 28
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Dec 12, 2016
1,795
I haven't tested how my system performs while using Defender for a long time now, but the last time I compared them Eset had lower impact on performance. Especially when performing file related operations Defender had quite an impact on performance. Yes, performance wise experience with Eset is excellent and I also like how I rarely get any false positive.
Yes it has lower false positive rate as well
Only thing I dislike is that the liveguard version is too expansive and that one feature I use on eset endpoint advanced called ransomware remediation is still only available for business clients

You can still tweak some stuff in defender to reduce it's performance usage and defender is lighter then some av software anyway and in most machines should be alright
And with your specs defender will be light
 

Minimalist

Level 10
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Oct 2, 2020
463
Yes it has lower false positive rate as well
Only thing I dislike is that the liveguard version is too expansive and that one feature I use on eset endpoint advanced called ransomware remediation is still only available for business clients
Personally I don't miss those options very much. I prefer to use just basic anti-malware features. That's why I use AV instead of IS even though I bought license for IS.
*** I know that IS doesn't include Liveguard and Ransomware remediation.

You can still tweak some stuff in defender to reduce it's performance usage and defender is lighter then some av software anyway and in most machines should be alright
And with your specs defender will be light
It was light most of the time. For me problems with slow performance were only with file related operations - backup speed and similar. At the time it seemed that Defender didn't have good "whitelisting" system and it would scan same data each time it was accessed, making the process of copying data slower. Maybe they improved that part of protection in past few years...

Either way I'm more than happy with Eset and will stay with them till 2027 (current expiration date of my license) unless they drop a ball in some future update.
 

oldschool

Level 85
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Mar 29, 2018
7,791
For me problems with slow performance were only with file related operations - backup speed and similar. At the time it seemed that Defender didn't have good "whitelisting" system and it would scan same data each time it was accessed, making the process of copying data slower.
Indeed, copying volumes of files has always been an issue for Defender. If they were going to change things, they would have done it by now. Oh well ....
 

brambedkar59

Level 32
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 16, 2017
2,159
I like this config, simple and effective. Thanks for sharing :)

Indeed, copying volumes of files has always been an issue for Defender. If they were going to change things, they would have done it by now. Oh well ....
It's not even copying/moving, just browsing folders with lots of file will slow down system with defender.
 

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