Advanced Plus Security oldschool's 2020 laptop setup

Last updated
Dec 12, 2020
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 10
Log-in security
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
User Access Control
Always notify
Real-time security
AVG Internet Security v. 20.10.3157
Firewall security
Microsoft Defender Firewall
About custom security
Default settings + Hardened Mode
Periodic malware scanners
Hitman Pro (paid)
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Browser(s) and extensions
Brave/Brave Nightly --> Brave Shields + ClearURLs + LocalCDN
Edge Chromium --> Strict Tracking Protection + ClearURLs + LocalCDN
Maintenance tools
Windows built-in
File and Photo backup
Copy/Paste --> Free Agent drive
System recovery
Aomei Backupper Pro --> image monthly or as needed
System protection --> restore points as needed @ app or data changes
Risk factors
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Browsing to unknown / untrusted / shady sites
    • Working from home
    • Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions
    • Streaming audio/video content from shady sites
Computer specs
Lenovo L340 i3 8145U CPU @ 2.10 GHz 2.300 GHz 8GB DDR4 RAM 1 TB HDD
Notable changes
5/3/20 --> Removed Bitdefender and back to Windows Defender --> Updated RunBySmartscreen
May 2020 ---> various small changes
3 June, 2020 --> updated to W10 2004
7 June 2020 --> rolled back to 1909
23 August 2020 --> Added LocalCDN to browsers
27 August 2020 --> Removed µBO in Edge
31 August 2020 --> Removed Bitdefender Free
--------------------> Reverted to Windows Defender
--------------------> Removed Trafficlight and added Malwarbytes Browser Guard
7 September 2020 --> Removed Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Later in September --> Enabled Google SafeBrowsing in Brave
SeriousHoax said:
Btw, I see that you're using Privacy Badger for Firefox and Privacy Possum for the chromium brothers. Any specific reason or just trying out different things in different browsers?
Click to expand...

PB is gone from FF. I went back to Privacy Possum in Edge because it does more even if its "noise-y". Brave is just µBO & ClearURLs.
 
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oldschool said:
PB is gone from FF. I went back to Privacy Possum in Edge because it does more even if its "noise-y". Brave is just µBO & ClearURLs.
Click to expand...
I see. PB isn't bringing much to my Firefox either so I might get rid of it as well. Let us know if you make more changes :)
 
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I've been reading up more on tracking/privacy lately and now I'm digging into Trace on Edge to see what its many features offer. Experimenting with different extensions is more than fun, it's a learning experience about browser processes, etc. (y):geek:
 
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oldschool said:
I've been reading up more on tracking/privacy lately and now I'm digging into Trace on Edge to see what its many features offer. Experimenting with different extensions is more than fun, it's a learning experience about browser processes, etc. (y):geek:
Click to expand...
Yes it's a good one. I've it installed in my Brave. Some of the thing it does can be done in Firefox via about:config changes but it's a lot more useful for chromium based browsers :D
 
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oldschool said:
I've been reading up more on tracking/privacy lately and now I'm digging into Trace on Edge to see what its many features offer. Experimenting with different extensions is more than fun, it's a learning experience about browser processes, etc. (y):geek:
Click to expand...

You can do some tests to check if your browsers have sufficient privacy protection.:);)
I personally am also to limit the insecure cipher suites as much as possible, with a browser link on the desk.
If then some website doesn't open I can always start the browser from Start ......
 
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Our oldschool is not just hot he's the hottest 😉
Screenshot_20200112-133538~2.jpg
 
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SFox said:
Hi, oldschool! Do not use an additional program for system backup? I was told here that the utilities built into the system are not enough for this :) You need either Macrium Free or AOMEI Backupper Standard. Just in case :)
Click to expand...
To this point. I had no problem using built in backup until I wanted to do a restore and it failed spectacularly and I had to do a fresh install. I though it was working fine, but it apparently wasn’t? I’ve had lots of success with Macrium. Also, I just wanted to participate in this HOT thread. :ROFLMAO:
 
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oldschool said:
@SFox @blackice Yes, I've considered installing Aomei but unsure whether to use OneKey Free, which I've used before, or BackerUpper.
Click to expand...
Sometimes there is no best answer, my friend. I’ve no experience with either myself, but heard mostly positive things about both. It’s probably one of those just pick one situations if there’s no single feature drawing you in. I’d go with BackUpper based on its similarity to Macrium.
 
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oldschool said:
Removed VoodooShield to take up the Windows Defender only challenge. 1 year, WD only.

Are you ready to join? 🤔
Click to expand...
I have Voodoshield free installed only because I regularly download samples and I fear what if I accidentally execute a sample that is not detected by WD yet, then my system would get infected.
Otherwise in WD we trust ;)
 
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