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

oldschool

Level 81
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Mar 29, 2018
7,044
Added Bitdefender Free. Blazing fast!

Edit: Apologies to all those (few?) who took on the Windows Defender challenge. I have no problem using it alone but I'm enjoying BD Free.

Edit #2: I had tried BD Free not too long ago but only for a day. I was mistaken about my impression that it slowed browsing.
 
Last edited:
F

ForgottenSeer 72227

Added Bitdefender Free. Blazing fast!

Edit: Apologies to all those (few?) who took on the Windows Defender challenge. I have no problem using it alone but I'm enjoying BD Free.
Blasphemy bring out the torches and pitch forks.....😡


lol jk, glad your liking Bitdefender free. I know you had an issue with wifi in the past, has than been fixed for you when using Bitdefender free?
 

sepik

Level 11
Verified
Well-known
Aug 21, 2018
505
Well, i usually do when receiving an with .doc docx etc i convert them to PDF which strips(i think) possible malwares inside. Use online docx converter for that or use third party software to convert it to PDF without openin "Word". Just wonderin...if you open malicioius .doc with LibreOffice, does the malware within the .doc works?
-sepik
 

Wraith2020

Level 2
Mar 19, 2020
89
Well, i usually do when receiving an with .doc docx etc i convert them to PDF which strips(i think) possible malwares inside. Use online docx converter for that or use third party software to convert it to PDF without openin "Word". Just wonderin...if you open malicioius .doc with LibreOffice, does the malware within the .doc works?
-sepik
By default libre office disables macros so they don't execute.
 

sepik

Level 11
Verified
Well-known
Aug 21, 2018
505
Yes i know that, but for additional security, i always convert doc(x) files to PDF online or via third party software. Sure, there's privacy issues when you "upload" to online-converters. Thats why third party converter(s) softwares comes handy.
 

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