Advice Request [Windows 7-10] What would be in your opinion the most lightweight yet effective security?

[Deleted member 178]

Qubes OS: A reasonably secure operating system

Secure but horribly complicated needing high end machines

 

[DavidLMO]

I use both OSArmor (beta testing) and ExeRadarPro and like them very much

 

[Dhruv2193]

Currently using only emsisoft anti-malware on my primary PC and i find it very light and effective. I tried kaspersky on it and found it to be bit heavier and most irritating thing- certificate problem continuous nags. Otherwise Kaspersky is great. I use Kaspersky on my secondary PC in which i don't browse much.

 

[Garzaman]

After windows 7 support ends I am thinking of moving to Linux mint, however I have tried before to make windows 7 and linux mint to dual boot, but some error regarding partitioning wouldn't let me succeed and I couldn't take the risk to hamper my already stable windows 7 installation. When the time comes, can I ask you for help?

Of course, when you want
Consider the option of Feren OS when you want to make the jump. Feren is Mint Cinnamon with a few (aesthetic) changes, such as looking like Windows 7.

 

[Electr0n]

Currently using only emsisoft anti-malware on my primary PC and i find it very light and effective. I tried kaspersky on it and found it to be bit heavier and most irritating thing- certificate problem continuous nags. Otherwise Kaspersky is great. I use Kaspersky on my secondary PC in which i don't browse much.

Kaspersky itself is a bit heavy in my experience, though the KIS is rock solid, but performance hit is visible.

Of course, when you want
Consider the option of Feren OS when you want to make the jump. Feren is Mint Cinnamon with a few (aesthetic) changes, such as looking like Windows 7.

Ok

 

[Chimaira]

EXE Radar Pro + OSArmor + Windows Firewall Control - Turn off Windows Defender

 

[Islam Gamal]

Emsisoft is the best antimalware i have ever used.
it is very light on my system. i will never change it for any other product.

 

[abdou17]

CF with cruelsister's settings + Windows Defender

1. Setup DNS servers (in your area) blocking known malware domains, like Yandex Safe or UltraDNS Threat
2. AV - FortiClient - Disable proxy for the max performance (Disables Web Security)
3. Windows 10 Firewall Control: Sphinx Software (to get control over Windows Firewall)
4. Browser extensions: Adguard (Malware/Spyware/EasyPrivacy filters) and Netcraft (to block phishing)
5. Get an ondemand scanner like HitmanPro, which can perform a quick scan at startup or Emsisoft Emergency Kit

i am using Forticlient and it's not light at all
(in idle)

 

[amico81]

CF with zemana antimalware ( realtime protection and pandora cloud) would be light and effective too

 

[eonline]

I currently use only Hitmanpro.Alert. I think it's the lightest security. Best regards.

 

[Evjl's Rain]

CF with zemana antimalware ( realtime protection and pandora cloud) would be light and effective too

totally agree. CF + zemana is the lightest combo ever
why? because zemana doesn't have on-access scanning -> it doesn't scan when we copy file to the computer. It only scans when the file is executed. The scanning speed is lightning fast also

CF with cruelsister's settings + Windows Defender


i am using Forticlient and it's not light at all
(in idle)
View attachment 180824

agree, Forticlient made my VM laggy a lot although it didn't use too much RAM as in your screenshot. It used a lot of CPU when malwares were active. Very uncomfortable while testing

 

[abdou17]

totally agree. CF + zemana is the lightest combo ever
why? because zemana doesn't have on-access scanning -> it doesn't scan when we copy file to the computer. It only scans when the file is executed. The scanning speed is lightning fast also


agree, Forticlient made my VM laggy a lot although it didn't use too much RAM as in your screenshot. It used a lot of CPU when malwares were active. Very uncomfortable while testing

you're right, high CPU usage when open anything like browser or games...
it also make the browsing slow

 

[Ink]

Windows 7 and up.

Updated title.

Windows 7 is already outdated and lacks many features and security of what Windows 10 can offer (OOTB).
Windows 8.0 is replaced by 8.1.
Most users should upgrade to Windows 10 for a better chance of long-term support, security patches and new feature updates.

 

[cruelsister]

If anyone cares I'll be putting out a "Just Shut Up and Show the CF Settings" video in about 10 days. The one thing that will be added is a quickie tweak to make the Browser functional while still in Containment even with the essential Block Requests firewall tweak in place.

 

[Electr0n]

If anyone cares I'll be putting out a "Just Shut Up and Show the CF Settings" video in about 10 days. The one thing that will be added is a quickie tweak to make the Browser functional while still in Containment even with the essential Block Requests firewall tweak in place.

Thank you very much for giving us the 'cruelsister settings' for comodo firewall. It's a godsend for easily using an otherwise complicated tool like comodo firewall for not so advanced users like me.
Thank you very much again.

 

[ParaXY]

When I rebuilt my machine in March of last year with Windows 10 1703 (I'm now running 1709) I made it my goal to secure and lock down my machine as much as possible using Windows 10's native security features.

I do use AppGuard so ignoring that all other security I use on my machine are built into Windows and my machine hasn't had a single issue with virii/malware/ransomware etc in a year!

The machines fast, stable and secure so I'm happy! Happy to share more info in you're interested.

 

[Electr0n]

Happy to share more info in you're interested.

Of course please. What tweaks did you use in the native tools? I am not much familiar with appguard, isn't it something intended for endpoints?

 

[ParaXY]

Check out some of my posts

SECURE - ParaXY's Windows 10 desktop Config

Q&A - Attack surface reduction

I'm not using AppLocker anymore but did purchase AppGuard (which is amazing).

If you browse around you'll find some of the local group policy/registry tweaks I have used. The one I really like is to stop unsigned executables from running.

 

[ForgottenSeer 55474]

If I should choose a full AV-Suite then, Bitdefender

 

[TairikuOkami]

I would not consider Comodo as easy at all, it is for expert users only. I have used it for several months and I am still scared of it.

i am using Forticlient and it's not light at all

I consider only CPU/HDD usage for performance. RAM is not a problem, especially when using Cleanmem.