SpongeGuard Security config

[SpongeGuard]

Hello, new to the forum, not so new to PC security. Looking forward to partaking in a community whose knowledge far surpasses mine. Best way to learn is to learn just how little you really know
Anyway, here's my setup. Thanks for browsing, don't judge too harshly. My last malware/virus infection was July 17, 2007. Best way to stay safe online is to be smart about it.

 

[CMLew]

Thanks for sharing. Your config looks solid relying mostly on Bitdefender Total Security.

 

[frogboy]

Looks solid to me.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Andrew999]

It looks alright but I think you should add another second opinion scanner like Malwarebytes or Zemana Anti-Malware.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[DracusNarcrym]

I don't seem to find anything that needs to be added. Robust config!

Great to see someone who clones their machine, it helps with restoring your system to a previous clean state. That's definitely the core of any security configuration (along with system imaging).

Thanks for sharing your config with us!

 

[Deleted member 178]

Approved by Staff

1- you should enable UAC

except that all is covered

 

[Soulbound]

As you know what you're doing UAC off is fine, however one opinion: Ghostery becomes obsolete in your config in my opinion.

 

[SpongeGuard]

Wow, it's great entering a thread expecting ridicule and being told that you're doing a good job. I think I'll like it here.
Also, planning on adding Emsisoft Anti-malware to the list if I don't win in the giveaway.
Is it just me or do black hats focus mostly on malware nowadays? Used be about destroying the system, now it's about staying quiet and stealing info.

 

[Deleted member 178]

Wow, it's great entering a thread expecting ridicule and being told that you're doing a good job. I think I'll like it here.

You will see here the atmosphere is more "open-mind" that the other place you and me know

Also, planning on adding Emsisoft Anti-malware to the list if I don't win in the giveaway.

instead of BD or in addition?

Is it just me or do black hats focus mostly on malware nowadays? Used be about destroying the system, now it's about staying quiet and stealing info.

you are right, now it is mostly stealing banking infos to rob your money. they shifted from "system breakers" to "cyber-thieves"...i miss the good'ol days when you could play "i dare you to break my security setup..." with them.

 

[SpongeGuard]

I hear that, haha. And yeah I'm definitely keeping bit defender alongside EM. BD has been missing quite a few of the recent malware samples I've tested.
In terms of antivirus It seems most are pretty equal nowadays and bitdefender always has a 6 month trial, bwahaha.

 

[Exterminator]

Enable UAC & remove Ghostery but other than that your config looks good! Thanks for sharing it

 

[Deleted member 178]

And yeah I'm definitely keeping bit defender alongside EM. BD has been missing quite a few of the recent malware samples I've tested.

the "problem" is that you will use twice the BD engine (one is BD obviously and the same BD engine again in EAM)

 

[SpongeGuard]

the "problem" is that you will use twice the BD engine (one is BD obviously and the same BD engine again in EAM)

Yeah, I totally hear you there, but couldn't that problem be alleviated by simply turning always-on-scanning off on one of them? I won't be doing on-demand scans simultaneously, and I've got enough experience balancing random plugins with sandboxie to be willing to figure it out

I'm all ears for recommendations about a malware suite that runs nicely in tandem with bitdefender though.

 

[Deleted member 178]

Yeah, I totally hear you there, but couldn't that problem be alleviated by simply turning always-on-scanning off on one of them? I won't be doing on-demand scans simultaneously, and I've got enough experience balancing random plugins with sandboxie to be willing to figure it out

indeed , turning one of the real-time scanning would do the trick but it is really what you need?
Another issue you may not notice is the database size, BD signature are big so twice BD , Twice the size

I'm all ears for recommendations about a malware suite that runs nicely in tandem with bitdefender though.

i heard some good feedbacks from Zemana-Antimalware Premium as companion AV.
Also Webroot SA is the "best" companion possible since it is designed for it.

The question is "does BD let them install?"

 

[SpongeGuard]

indeed , turning one of the real-time scanning would do the trick but it is really what you need?
Another issue you may not notice is the database size, BD signature are big so twice BD , Twice the size



i heard some good feedbacks from Zemana-Antimalware Premium as companion AV.
Also Webroot SA is the "best" companion possible since it is designed for it.

The question is "does BD let them install?"

Haha yeah, I hear that. It just so happens that I have a zemana premium code from some ancient giveaway. I'll give it a shot. Also no worries about the signature size. If my island sank I could build a raft out of hard drives and xboxes and float to safety.
Thanks again, great warm welcoming to the forum.

 

[Deleted Member 333v73x]

Wow, it's great entering a thread expecting ridicule and being told that you're doing a good job. I think I'll like it here.
Also, planning on adding Emsisoft Anti-malware to the list if I don't win in the giveaway.
Is it just me or do black hats focus mostly on malware nowadays? Used be about destroying the system, now it's about staying quiet and stealing info.

Emsisoft AM used to be able to be used as a companion AV, but now they say there may be conflicts, it is designed to be standalone...

 

[SpongeGuard]

I'll figure it out. I hate the cliche but "it's not my first rodeo" lol

 

[jamescv7]

Very good configuration out there.

Problematic on current BD's performance? Then you may add official companion based like Voodoshield/SecureAplus or Crystal Security in that case at least many engines are included for cloud reference hence optimum performance alongside of strong user input concept as Anti-exe or whitelist.