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
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Mar 29, 2018
7,043
Added: VoodooShield. It's tried and true.

Added: LocalCDN --> it handles more CDNs than Decentraleyes. I found this especially helpful on shopping sites and surfing the unkown. (200 resource injections in first day of use.) It complements Brave adblock well and is even more effective on Firefox.
 
Last edited:
F

ForgottenSeer 85179

Finally gave in and used the Windows Update fix to update WD Antimalware platform.
i wrote about it on friday ;)

Reverted to Windows Defender with all W10 built-in security enabled.
(y)
 

Divine_Barakah

Level 29
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May 10, 2019
1,854
AVG is great but when I install it my DNS changes to “Active DNS” according to Next DNS Dashboard. The system does not respect my DNS settings when AVG is installed.
This started to happen when AVG fixed an issue that caused AVG activation and account log in wizard for connecting to the internet. On Next DNS dashboard, the status keeps changing from Next DNS to Active DNS infinitely. This does not happen on devices running Kaspersky or Malwarebtes or McAfee.
 

oldschool

Level 81
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Well-known
Mar 29, 2018
7,043
This started to happen when AVG fixed an issue that caused AVG activation and account log in wizard for connecting to the internet. On Next DNS dashboard, the status keeps changing from Next DNS to Active DNS infinitely. This does not happen on devices running Kaspersky or Malwarebtes or McAfee.
No problem here. The only bugs I've found so far are:
  • GUI fails to launch after install
  • GUI home page fails to show last update correctly
 

Divine_Barakah

Level 29
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Top Poster
Well-known
May 10, 2019
1,854
No problem here. The only bugs I've found so far are:
  • GUI fails to launch after install
  • GUI home page fails to show last update correctly
That’s weird. Maybe the issue is related to network scanner? I do not know. I am not using AVG on my main device now, so I can not check whether the issue is fixed or not. Maybe it was a temporary fix for the activation issue. Regarding the issue you are having with the GUI, I had it months ago and was able to fix it by running a programme repair. I do confirm the second bug regarding showing the latest update. Anyway, in my experience with AVG, it is better and safer to download the offline installer.
 

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