Advanced Plus Security Nightwalker's security setup for 2021

Last updated
Feb 17, 2021
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 10
On-device encryption
Log-in security
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
User Access Control
Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer
Smart App Control
Network firewall
Real-time security
ESET Internet Security 2022 with minor settings changed
NextDNS
Firewall security
About custom security
Windows privacy settings changed
Periodic malware scanners
Emsisoft Emergency Kit (rarely used)
Malwarebytes 4 (rarely used)
AdwCleaner (rarely used)
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Browser(s) and extensions
Brave
Chrome
Firefox
Edge
Secure DNS
NextDNS with OISD filter list
Desktop VPN
Windscribe
Password manager
Bitwarden
Maintenance tools
Windows native system tools
File and Photo backup
Macrium Reflect 7
OneDrive
System recovery
Macrium Reflect 7
Risk factors
    • Working from home
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Browsing to unknown / untrusted / shady sites
    • Opening email attachments
    • Buying from online stores, entering banks card details
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Sharing and receiving files and torrents
    • Gaming
    • Streaming audio/video content from shady sites
Computer specs
Custom Machine
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3600
GPU: RTX 2060 Super
RAM: 16 Gb DDR4 3000 mhz
Storage: SSD Adata XPG Gammix S11 Pro 1 Tb
What I'm looking for?

Looking for medium feedback.

blackice said:
I like that you can’t choose a main browser either. I feel less crazy.
Click to expand...

It may seem bizarre, but using multiple browsers has a purpose :D

For example, Firefox is the only browser supported by the online access systems of the courts, basically I need this to be able to work (I'm a lawyer); as for Google Chrome I use it logged in with my Google account to use the services of this company like Gmail, Youtube, Youtube Music and so on.

As for Brave it is my main browser and Edge, well it has an excellent PDF reader and a very pleasant reading mode, it is a very good secondary browser and could easily replace Brave (which maybe it will).

In addition, using different browsers for different uses is a way of trying to maintain an anonymous identity on the internet.
 
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Nightwalker said:
It may seem bizarre, but using multiple browsers has a purpose :D

For example, Firefox is the only browser supported by the online access systems of the courts, basically I need this to be able to work (I'm a lawyer); as for Google Chrome I use it logged in with my Google account to use the services of this company like Gmail, Youtube, Youtube Music and so on.

As for Brave it is my main browser and Edge, well it has an excellent PDF reader and a very pleasant reading mode, it is a very good secondary browser and could easily replace Brave (which maybe it will).

In addition, using different browsers for different uses is a way of trying to maintain an anonymous identity on the internet.
Click to expand...
I use Chrome for the same thing. I don't log into google services from any other browser. It's basically a youtube and gmail browser. I've gone back and forth on Brave and Edge. Both have positives and negatives. And I have a soft spot for Firefox, probably always will until they shut it down.
 
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blackice said:
I use Chrome for the same thing. I don't log into google services from any other browser. It's basically a youtube and gmail browser. I've gone back and forth on Brave and Edge. Both have positives and negatives. And I have a soft spot for Firefox, probably always will until they shut it down.
Click to expand...

I guess our reasons are very very similar; I dont feel very comfortable using a browser with a Google account logged in but I still need its services.

My computer is powerful enough so I cant really see any downside of this multiple browsers approach, so I will continue with it as long I need it.
 
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SecurityNightmares said:
Only two things from my side:
- Set UAC to maximum (see many threads about)
- better use only 1 browser for decreased attack surface. With Edge you can use my 3 browser profile solution: Edge - Chromium-Edge "3-Browser-Profiles" Solution


(y)
Click to expand...

I use a standard user account, it is much more powerful security-wise than UAC to maximum (the latter isnt a security boundary).

About the multiple browsers, it may increase attack surface, but I need them and I am totally okay with this.

NextDNS is great, I really like the low false positives from the OISD list, so it is a keeper for me.
 
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Wow AVG Internet Security? How is it?

I also use NextDNS and love it. I had to stop using OISD as it was blocking far too much for my liking.
 
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Nightwalker said:
Do you have a guide for NextDNS ? I will look for it.
Click to expand...
malwaretips.com

Tutorial - NextDNS: a DoH/ DoT guide

As Lenny_Fox request a NextDNS guide with pictures, here we go - based on Your NextDNS settings thread. First, info about NextDNS can be read at: official Website & GitHub I use and recommend using their service in easiest way you can implement. For me that is on router level so i don't need...
malwaretips.com malwaretips.com
 
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Trooper said:
Wow AVG Internet Security? How is it?

I also use NextDNS and love it. I had to stop using OISD as it was blocking far too much for my liking.
Click to expand...

AVG/Avast is pretty good, very low system impact and the protection seems to be above average, the privacy concerns are overblow.
 
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SecureKongo said:
Above average doesn't sound that convincing. Did you do a test of AVG too?
Click to expand...

Above average to top tier considering the results of AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, SE Labs and recently @McMcbrad tests; historically Avast was never bad at that important metric.

I dont have the means to do a statistically relevant protection test; what I like to test is false positives, system impact, try to look for some bugs, how good the default settings are, how its impact web browsing, look to see if there is a downgrade for SSL connections and so on.
 
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Nightwalker said:
Above average to top tier considering the results of AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, SE Labs and recently @McMcbrad tests; historically Avast was never bad at that important metric.

I dont have the means to do a statistically relevant protection test; what I like to test is false positives, system impact, try to look for some bugs, how good the default settings are, how its impact web browsing, look to see if there is a downgrade for SSL connections and so on.
Click to expand...
This is the point. Among any of the top AVs the differences are largely irrelevant. As long as you aren't using something that bombs tests regularly you are getting decent protection. Chasing the best is a waste of time. AVAST/AVG have an enormous user base which gives them a lot of threat intel and they are efficient at creating new signatures and have a good BB.
 
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blackice said:
This is the point. Among any of the top AVs the differences are largely irrelevant. As long as you aren't using something that bombs tests regularly you are getting decent protection. Chasing the best is a waste of time. AVAST/AVG have an enormous user base which gives them a lot of threat intel and they are efficient at creating new signatures and have a good BB.
Click to expand...

Pretty much this, nowadays it is hard to make a bad choice in the AV market, well, except if you choose Webroot :D
 
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