Advanced Security tharunnamboothiri Personal DELL Laptop config

Last updated
Oct 5, 2025
How it's used?
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 11
Other operating system
NA
On-device encryption
N/A
Log-in security
    • Biometrics (Windows Hello PIN, TouchID, Face, Iris, Fingerprint)
    • Basic account password (insecure)
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Access Control
Never notify (disabled)
Smart App Control
Off
Network firewall
Enabled
About WiFi router
Default GENEXIS router provided by my ISP (ASIANET)
Real-time security
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Firewall security
Other - Next-generation Firewall (NGFW)
About custom security
I use ESET NOD32 Antivirus combined with FORT FIREWALL. Have UAC, SMART APP CONTROL and BITLOCKER DRIVE ENCRYPTION disabled due to personal reasons, although I DON'T recommend anyone try it unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Periodic malware scanners
Bi weekly scans using ESET NOD32 antivirus and MALWAREBYTE'S ANTIMALWARE
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
Previously I have been testing but for personal reasons, I am NOT currently a malware tester.
Browser(s) and extensions
BRAVE with uBlock origin, Internet Download Manager and Bitwarden extensions. Brave has crypto stuff disabled, DNS set to Cloudflare but rest of the configuration is intact.
Secure DNS
Cloudflare
Desktop VPN
Proton VPN (free version)
Password manager
Bitwarden (paid version)
Maintenance tools
CCLEANER (with internet access blocked and all the files except the CCleaner64.exe removed), PRIVAZER (paid version), IOBIT DRIVER BOOSTER (paid version), ADVANCED SYSTEMCARE (giveaway version with internet access blocked), GLARY UTILITIES (giveaway version with internet access blocked)
File and Photo backup
None (Manual offline backups only)
Subscriptions
    • None
System recovery
Custom EMERGENCY DISK iso made by me with complete system configuration inbuilt.
Risk factors
    • Browsing the dark web
    • Downloading software and files from unknown / untrusted / shady sites
Computer specs
Model: DELL Latitude 5290
Storage: 256GB nVME
RAM: 12GB DDR4 clocked at 3200Mhz
GPU: Intel Core i5 7300U
Notable changes
NA
What I'm looking for?

Looking for maximum feedback.

Parkinsond said:
I would avoid "maintenance" tools.
Click to expand...
Or at least in using so many? Windows defrag, Windows Disk cleanup, occasionally cleaning out the temp/%temp% folders (Windows Run) and manually cleaning browser History etc. (I don't have them set to auto clean on browser exit) is where I'm at. Am I missing anything else? Not to hijack a members PC Setup Configuration thread, but just in case it's helpful :)
 
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Jonny Quest said:
Or at least in using so many? Windows defrag, Windows Disk cleanup, occasionally cleaning out the temp/%temp% folders (Windows Run) and manually cleaning browser History etc. (I don't have them set to auto clean on browser exit) is where I'm at. Am I missing anything else? Not to hijack a members PC Setup Configuration thread, but just in case it's helpful :)
Click to expand...
I know bro, but for many personal reasons, I need to have them! I have ensured that those crap don't connect to internet in any ways though
 
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tharunnamboothiri said:
I know bro, but for many personal reasons, I need to have them! I have ensured that those crap don't connect to internet in any ways though
Click to expand...
No problem, friend, we all have to do and use what's in our comfort zone and our circumstances :)
 
Last edited:
Parkinsond said:
Only need to clean temp files monthly after W update; W built-in tool can do the job.
For registry, I do it manually after program uninstall to avoid breaking things.
Click to expand...
Which built in Windows tool are you referring to? Disk Cleanup? If so, it's far behind compared to the maintenance tools that I have mentioned.
 
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Ah the nice latitude of old days
Never forget what they took from us.
https://x.com/IntCyberDigest/status/2018828258658406698/photo/1
1770188067038.png
Click to expand...
 

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