Advanced Plus Security Mycenius PC Configuration 2024

[Mycenius]

Here is my main PC config (mounted in a classic black SilverStone Temjin TJ06 case) as of when I upgraded from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro. This is a custom/bespoke build that I have upgraded partially or fully (incl. original build) 5 times since ~2006. Note I run an Apple MacBook Pro Laptop, an iPhone & an iPad Air in addition to my Microsoft Windows Desktop PC.

Appreciate any insights or experience as I'm looking to streamline it a bit - potentially drop Trend Micro and rely on tweaked Defender via ConfigureDefender plus perhaps Malwarebytes? Looking to cull some of the browsers currently installed (some are solely to validate my hobby websites/blogs display correctly after a theme or design update), especially keen to get rid of Chrome ASAP . Always looking for advice on streamlining Windows and shutting down or removing unnecessary bloatware and similar...

 

[harlan4096]

I would set up UAC to Always Notify.

I thought SpyBot Search & Destroy tool was already dead but it seems still alive and compatible even with W11. I see the Free version very limited.

So many browsers...

Thanks for sharing

 

[Back3]

If you want to streamline a bit…
Use 2–3 browsers with your essential extensions; pick 1-2 malware scanners: I use Norton Power Eraser. And simplify your files and photos backups to make sure your Mac, your PC, your iPad, and your iPhone can talk to each other.

 

[Mycenius]

If you want to streamline a bit…
Use 2–3 browsers with your essential extensions

Yeah, as mentioned I do a bit of web design so often have these installed solely to test template updates and such. If I am not doing anything for a while I often uninstall them. Unfortunately you can't uninstall the one you least want!

Pick 1-2 malware scanners: I use Norton Power Eraser.

What do you consider especially good about NPE @Back3? I haven't come across it previously. Been mainly a Trend Micro user last 15 years - they were always rated highly for a long time. Although I heard sometime ago Microsoft had supposedly acquired them (i.e. TM, along with Opera Browser) so had been expecting potential degradation (of both).

Back when I ran a large (for NZ) organisation's IT operations in the 2000's to early 2010's Norton's products became pretty rubbish for a while so have always steered clear for a long time. But I've seen a few people in recent times comment about how they are reportedly back up there as one of the best, and I've been a bit out of touch on the latest news last 3 years or so...

And simplify your files and photos backups to make sure your Mac, your PC, your iPad, and your iPhone can talk to each other.

Yeah that's a long term project - won't go into all the reasons why it's the way it is. e.g. My main NAS is currently 12TB in RAID5 config (technically 4 x 3TB but 2 are actually 4TB as I'm half way through swapping out dives for larger ones to increase space to provide more capacity to reorganise).

And absolutely definitely aiming towards what you are saying... do want to make the cross device cross platform thing as seamless as possible.

I try and not put anything sensitive (i.e. personal, financial, etc, or photos of me, family, etc), on cloud drives at present (like iCloud) until I'm really confident about drive encryption and there's no chance of anyone realistically accessing them, etc (some files will always rely on local backup to external drive(s)), but hopefully Proton Drive will measure up and I can reduce what I keep to relying on regular local backups.

(as an ex-IT guy I've experienced enough to always keep the occasional/sporadic local copy back-up as a long term archive - as you never know what can happen with your regular day to day backups and DR processes)!

 

[Mycenius]

I would set up UAC to Always Notify.

I've just made that change @harlan4096

And updated some minor stuff. Also added in modem/router (Draytek) & WiFi (UniFi) info.

Use 2–3 browsers with your essential extensions

Made a start @Back3 - have removed Opera for now, and will access Gmail in Brave going forward (unfortunately can't completely uninstall Chrome as my fiancée insists on using it in her profile - will have to do some hard talking to move her to Brave)!

Is it just me or is Chrome the most awful browser these days - can't believe how bloated and slow it is to load given how good it used to be, before Big Brother Google insisted on looking over your shoulder even more than they were... from first to arguably last? Reminiscent of the I.E./Netscape wars in some respects... (going from hero to zero).

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Its probably you. Chrome is all I use and don't find it bloated or slow, or is it me?

 

[Mycenius]

Its probably you. Chrome is all I use and don't find it bloated or slow, or is it me?

Yeah probably me. Nah no. I don't know... Damn awful whatever it is!

P.S. Awesome avatar @Digmor Crusher - Irisa is cool !

 

[Victor M]

Extensions makes a browser slower. Choose a few that are essential and dump the rest.