Advanced Plus Security Step 1 Windows Config 2020

Last updated
Sep 6, 2020
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 11
Log-in security
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
User Access Control
Always notify
Real-time security
Avira PRO
Firewall security
About custom security
Windows is hardening with Hard_Configurator
Periodic malware scanners
EEK, Norton Power Eraser, HitMan Pro Free
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Browser(s) and extensions
Edge: Bitwarden, Grammarly, Select to translate, Decentraleyes, Privacy Possum, uBo, HTTPS EveryWhere
Firefox: Lightshot, Bitwarden, Adguard, Grammarly, Descentreyal eyes, Google Translator, Video Downloader Pro
Maintenance tools
ASC Pro, XNViewMP, Audacity, VLC, ShareX, Izarc, LibreOffice ...
File and Photo backup
Macrium Reflect Home Edition
System recovery
Macrium Reflect Home Edition
Risk factors
    • Gaming
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Browsing to popular websites
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Streaming audio/video content from shady sites
    • Browsing to unknown / untrusted / shady sites
Computer specs
Intel Core i5 8250 1.60 Ghz 1.80 Ghz
RAM 16 GB
HD 1 Tb
AMD Raedon R7 M340

harlan4096

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Apr 28, 2015
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Probably You don't need OSArmor nor Unchecky, having SysHardener mitigations applied, F-Secure DeepGuard usually does a great blocking behaviour against malicious exe files...

In Data BackUp, consider also to run manual backups of important data to external devices, and/or in cloud services.

In Virus and Malware Removal Tools, You may add HitManPro Free.

Please kindly reflect Your changes editing Your config, and announcing them here, thanks for sharing :)
 

harlan4096

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Apr 28, 2015
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Well, I always say HitMan.Pro Free, actually is Pro, but after the trial period (including clean-up features) You still can use it as on demand scan but without that cleaning-up:

 

Step 1

Level 3
Thread author
Verified
Sep 17, 2018
102
Well, I always say HitMan.Pro Free, actually is Pro, but after the trial period (including clean-up features) You still can use it as on demand scan but without that cleaning-up:


Thanks again. Added :)
 

Ink

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Jan 8, 2011
22,361
Try the new Microsoft Edge :: [Download New Microsoft Edge Browser]
  • Compatible with Chrome Web Store extensions
  • Better privacy options than Chrome
  • Protection by Microsoft Defender Smartscreen and compatible with existing security services
  • Light and Dark themes / minimal UI
  • Cross-platform support
  • Use Bing to earn Microsoft Rewards [Optional]

More Sync options are coming in future browser updates.
1583151695761.png
 

Step 1

Level 3
Thread author
Verified
Sep 17, 2018
102
Try the new Microsoft Edge :: [Download New Microsoft Edge Browser]
  • Compatible with Chrome Web Store extensions
  • Better privacy options than Chrome
  • Protection by Microsoft Defender Smartscreen and compatible with existing security services
  • Light and Dark themes / minimal UI
  • Cross-platform support
  • Use Bing to earn Microsoft Rewards [Optional]

More Sync options are coming in future browser updates.
View attachment 234171
Thanks, done!

Please consider using a Standard User Account.
I'm not sure how I could do that, I'm looking for a simple configuration, comfortable to use, would that be the case with a user account?. Thanks in advanced

Removed:
  • F-Secure Safe
  • Adguard extension
  • Opera Browser
Added:
  • Windows Defender Hardened with Configure Defender
  • uBlock Origin extension
  • Edge as default browser
 

silversurfer

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Aug 17, 2014
10,048

Step 1

Level 3
Thread author
Verified
Sep 17, 2018
102
Small changes, I bought a second-hand laptop, but I kept the configuration I had with my desktop computer

I'm back with Firefox as my default browser and I've hardened my system with Hard Configurator, which is, for me, the discovery of the year :cool:
 

Step 1

Level 3
Thread author
Verified
Sep 17, 2018
102
Removed:
  • MS Defender
  • Izcarc
Added:
  • ZoneAlarm Extreme Security
  • Bandizip
Edge is now my default browser.

The configuration I have now is like the one I had 15 years ago, it looks like I have involuted.

ZoneAlarm despite being heavy (around 350 MB) is a software that I always liked and with respect to ASC, well, I think everyone is deserved to a second chance and the truth is that it works very well in my system
 
Last edited:

Step 1

Level 3
Thread author
Verified
Sep 17, 2018
102
Hi, new changes in my config. It's a return to the starting point

After a couple of months using ZoneAlarm Extreme Security I am back to Windows Defender. The reason is simple, I love ZoneAlarm, but little by little, almost inappreciably, is slowing down the system, is a shame, because it is a great software and this problem is repeated again and again.

I use Hard_Configurator , Configure Defender and FirewallHardening to harden my system

Removed:
  • ZoneAlarm Extreme Security
Added:
  • MS Defender
 

Nautilus

Level 2
Apr 27, 2020
86
Nice change vato! light and tight.....sorry to see that your highschool sweetheart still act like a golddigger , hogging up all that ram and performance on your pc! ;)
 
  • HaHa
Reactions: Step 1

Soulbound

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Jan 14, 2015
1,761
@Step 1 Im curious if you are using Bandizip free or paid? And if you are using Paid version, what is the source of the antimalware scan signatures?

Edit: The antimalware scan uses AMSI from windows 10

To note however:
CAUTION
  • This feature is only available on Windows 10.
  • This feature performs the scan with the antivirus software already installed on the system.
  • This feature does not work if the real-time protection of Windows 10 is disabled.
  • This feature does not guarantee that it can detect malware in all types of archives.
  • On Bandizip Standard Edition, this feature scans only a file whose size is 1 MB or less among the files in the archive.
Source
 
Last edited:

Step 1

Level 3
Thread author
Verified
Sep 17, 2018
102
I am using Bandizip free, although I am thinking of replacing it with Izarc because it is simpler, it doesn't have a lot of functions that I don't really use

Nice change vato! light and tight.....sorry to see that your highschool sweetheart still act like a golddigger , hogging up all that ram and performance on your pc! ;)
Hahaha, thanks my dear friend :)
 
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Soulbound

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Jan 14, 2015
1,761
I am using Bandizip free, although I am thinking of replacing it with Izarc because it is simpler, it doesn't have a lot of functions that I don't really use
I still use Izarc in most my systems. My main system I use Winrar and 7zip
 
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F

ForgottenSeer 85179

The Bandizip Pro version also doesn't provide full scan options:

Limitations
This feature may fail to detect malware under the following conditions:
  • The size of the file in the archive is 1MB or larger. (Free Edition)
  • The size of the file in the archive is 10MB or larger. (Paid Edition)

So the free version is enough. Just unpack the file and scan the folder before execution.
 

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