Advanced Plus Security mkoundo's laptop security config 2020

[mkoundo]

For 2020, a nice balance of security, performance and usability.

 

[mkoundo]

Virtualbox with Linux MX 18 is good enough and free.

If i had the money right now, i would buy a computer with lot of RAM (say 32gb) and use Qubes-Whonix on it. Best OS for security and anonymity. reserved to uber-geek privacy freaks only LOL

Added

• VirtualBox & MX-19 (with LUKS full disk encryption)

 

[mkoundo]

Removed

• Avast secureline

Added

• Mullvad VPN

 

[RKRN3]

Removed

• Avast secureline

Added

• Mullvad VPN

That's the best thing you have done right now!

 

[mkoundo]

- added WFH hardware setup
- changed H_C profile to Basic Recommended to improve python workflow

 

[mkoundo]

- clean installed win10 20H2
- said goodbye to chrome after many many years...

 

[Andy Ful]

- added WFH hardware setup
- changed H_C profile to Basic Recommended to improve python workflow

Hi,
If the only reason is Python, then probably you can use Avast profile. The difference (as compared to Basic Recommended) is additional protection for MSI files. Anyway, if you pay attention to MSI installers, then Basic Recommended profile is probably the best choice.

 

[mkoundo]

- changed Ublock Origin filters from easylist to Kees1958 Top500 + easylist general hide (hides the empty ad containers), which reduced the network filter count from 90k+ to <45k.

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Kees1958/W3C_annual_most_used_survey_blocklist/master/Top500

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/easylist/easylist/master/easylist/easylist_general_hide.txt

Spoiler: ublock filters

 

[SeriousHoax]

- changed Ublock Origin filters from easylist to Kees1958 Top500 + easylist general hide (hides the empty ad containers), which reduced the network filter count from 90k+ to <45k.

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Kees1958/W3C_annual_most_used_survey_blocklist/master/Top500

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/easylist/easylist/master/easylist/easylist_general_hide.txt

Spoiler: ublock filters

View attachment 247937

The number of network filters don't have any performance impact (tested by gorill himself) so you won't notice any difference with this change. On the other hand, cosmetic filters has slight impact but personally I don't notice that either with my 89k cosmetic filters. But your cosmetic filter number is already very low so it's fine.

 

[Ink]

- clean installed win10 20H2
- said goodbye to chrome after many many years...

Why did you decide to uninstall Google Chrome?

The fact that Windows now comes with/has moved to a Chromium-based browser, or another reason?

 

[mkoundo]

Why did you decide to uninstall Google Chrome?

The fact that Windows now comes with/has moved to a Chromium-based browser, or another reason?

yes, that and I think edge is easier on my laptop battery.

 

[mkoundo]

- Replaced Kees1958 top500 with EU_US_most_common_trackers filter list:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/K...y_blocklist/master/EU_US_most_common_trackers

Spoiler

 

[LDogg]

Windows Firewall choices:
- If you like a leave and forget solution, feel free to use Tinywall, but on first use please set the mode to "Autolean" and open all important software so you will not run into any problems
- If you like notifications, feel free to use Malwarebytes Windows Firewall Control

Backup:
- consider a cloud backup option as well, 2 backups are certainly better than one

The other options seems covered.

~LDogg

 

[mkoundo]