Advanced Plus Security Soulbound's Security Configurations - 2020

[Soulbound]

Despite after so many years of using different Security Solutions and Combos, I keep going back to McAfee Endpoint Security and as always I am reminded there was no reason really to move away from it. I cannot really recommend to most home users since its an Endpoint Solution but if you are able to buy/interested in Endpoint Solutions for personal use, then I fully recommend it.

My configuration can be considered minimal but secured enough, specially for my needs.

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Privacy tools and VPN:
OpenDNS server as default DNS server

Take a look at NextDNS

Password manager:
Keepass

Nice!

Maintenance tools:
Bleachbit/CCleaner/PrivaZer

Why so many? Windows can delete temp files too. Other stuff like from browser can be configured in browser itself so it delete that at closing

 

[Soulbound]

Despite no longer doing testing, I still keep a few tools for comparison etc. Bleachbit i used extensively in Linux back then.

I am familiar with NextDNS however I still prefer OpenDNS and its free and good enough for my needs

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

I still prefer OpenDNS and its free and good enough for my needs

Fair enough!
I just speak about it, because OpenDNS have weak protection: Q&A - [Updated 29/12/2018] Browser extension comparison: Malwares and Phishings

But if you're okay with that, that's fine of course! Everyone should use what fits best

 

[harlan4096]

Set UAC -> Always notify...

 

[Soulbound]

Set UAC -> Always notify...

That was what I had a year ago but between always notify and my current settings, due to patch updates and what not for games, i switched out Always notify.

 

[Soulbound]

Your changelog
12th August - Switched from McAfee Endpoint Security to Kaspersky Internet Security 20

I still run McAfee but on another system now.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

Your changelog
12th August - Switched from McAfee Endpoint Security to Kaspersky Internet Security 20

I still run McAfee but on another system now.

What was the main reason for the change ?

 

[Soulbound]

What was the main reason for the change ?

system load when running multiple clients of the same game.
i just switched McAfee and Kaspersky from one system to another, thats all. McAfee is on the production system, not gaming system now.

 

[Soulbound]

Looks like I am having a higher system impact with KIS as opposed to McAfee Endpoint Security.
WIll require some testing but most likely in next 12 hours I will revert back to McAfee Endpoint Security and do some further tweaks.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

Looks like I am having a higher system impact with KIS as opposed to McAfee Endpoint Security.
WIll require some testing but most likely in next 12 hours I will revert back to McAfee Endpoint Security and do some further tweaks.

Not sure about performance but in MacAfee I remember having so much to twaek and play with that made Kaspersky consumer version pretty dull in comparison .

But I do use Kaspersky on my gaming computer since I downloaded so many mods and ##### that I need more balanced FPs response in that machine.

 

[Soulbound]

McAfee Endpoint is different from the normal consumer versions.

Ill take some screenshots later

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

McAfee Endpoint is different from the normal consumer versions.

Ill take some screenshots later

No need I used the endpoint security version ENS .
Has so many features but I still use SEP(on premise) on my main pc
Other computers in my house excluding a gaming PC(KFA) and very low end one (CF) run SEP on premise .


As for Gaming I would choose Kaspersky(stronger by default) or ESET(lighter) all the way because you will download like 100+ mod files per game and it's not ideal to use an endpoint security product because it's just an annoyance in that regard .
And I will never use a gaming computer with work or even logging into my own email as well I won't use steam with personal details (debt card and fake Id ) and I would use an isolated networking as well .

 

[Soulbound]

As for Gaming I would choose Kaspersky(stronger by default) or ESET(lighter) all the way because you will download like 100+ mod files per game and it's not ideal to use an endpoint security product because it's just an annoyance in that regard .

This is where you are wrong, Endpoint security or Home Security software behave similar. At least for ESET/McAfee. There are key differences but not on the modules that is present on both, and it wont affect any downloads either since i dont download mods.

And I will never use a gaming computer with work or even logging into my own email as well I won't use steam with personal details (debt card and fake Id ) and I would use an isolated networking as well .

My system is protected enough that i can use it for both gaming and working from home. There is enough security even from work environment.
There is no need to be extra paranoid.


As for 19th Aug change log, switched to Eset for now.

 

[blackice]

This is where you are wrong, Endpoint security or Home Security software behave similar. At least for ESET/McAfee. There are key differences but not on the modules that is present on both, and it wont affect any downloads either since i dont download mods.


My system is protected enough that i can use it for both gaming and working from home. There is enough security even from work environment.
There is no need to be extra paranoid.


As for 19th Aug change log, switched to Eset for now.

I think this is a reasonable approach. Not every gamer is downloading 100s of ROMs/cracks/mods. Some of us only use official stores and also use our home computers for daily uses. No need to go overboard.

Also I have a soft spot for ESET.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

I think this is a reasonable approach. Not every gamer is downloading 100s or ROMs/cracks/mods. Some of us only use official stores and also use our home computers for daily uses. No need to go overboard.

Also I have a soft spot for ESET.

Still even using popular websites for mods caused a huge false positives with most endpoint and a lot of consumer products.

But since you don't require mods to have a good experience gaming then it's fine .

Anyway I would recommend if this PC is used for emails or any work related with gaming at least deny outbound connections assuming you can live without a multiplayer game and use a dedicated machine for that kind of somewhat risky workload that has to be able to send information to "random" machines.
And don't forget to isolate/ reduce local access networking on the dedicated gaming machine .

 

[Soulbound]

25th August 2020 - ESET Internet Security installed in my other system while the Gaming system is now running Kaspersky Internet Security 2020 (Latest patch - Patch A); installed Kaspersky Protection browser extension.

Similar tweaks to @harlan4096 settings available here applied where applicable.

 

[Soulbound]

Removed Kaspersky due to some problems with Path of Exile. Too lazy to troubleshoot, so reinstalled ESET Internet Security and imported my settings and rules.

HIPS is on Policy Based but before changing to such mode, I had Learning mode on for a few days to have all operations learnt before applying Policy Based.

 

[Soulbound]

31st August 2020 - since I have multiple systems and several solutions installed across the systems, I listed the 3 security solutions I use.

McAfee Endpoint Security - light gaming system and mainly normal usage system + backup system
ESET Internet Security - Gaming system used by son
Kaspersky Internet Security - My main gaming system

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

31st August 2020 - since I have multiple systems and several solutions installed across the systems, I listed the 3 security solutions I use.

McAfee Endpoint Security - light gaming system and mainly normal usage system + backup system
ESET Internet Security - Gaming system used by son
Kaspersky Internet Security - My main gaming system

Really good choices all can be configerd to act as default deny .