Advice Request Windows Defender w/ Hitman Pro Alert?

[PotentialUser]

Hello everyone,

I’m interested in finding out if using Windows Defender (WD) with HitmanPro.Alert (HMP.A) — ALL real-time modules/protections enabled — will cause any conflicts or issues?

Has this set-up been done before successfully for an extended period of time with little-to-no issues? Should certain settings be disabled in WD such as Cloud Protection or PUP detection?

Are there any specific tweaks that should be done to either Windows Defender, HitmanPro.Alert or both? Maybe some exclusions for each other or something? Back in the day, I used Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) with Malwarebytes Premium (MB). I had to put in certain MB files as exclusions in MSE and vice versa in MB for MSE files. Are there certain files like that I should be excluding?

Windows Defender works well even after a Microsoft Windows Update. Makes sense; it’s completely integrated into the system so there shouldn’t be any issues. But, does adding HitmanPro.Alert cause instability problems?

Would WD + HMP.A be “enough” in regards to decent protection? I’m not talking about cream of the crop protection that certain suites such as Kaspersky, BitDefender, or Emsisoft provide. I’m asking if it covers all of the bases when it comes to malware protection, ransomware protection, etc. even if it takes longer for them to update signatures or heuristics than “premium” products.

Final Question: Most mainstream AV products have some sort of browser extension to block malicious websites. I believe only ESET doesn’t use an extension. Windows Defender doesn’t seem to have a browser extension either so how does it block malicious websites? Doesn’t Windows SmartScreen only work in Microsoft Edge? Or can it be enabled system-wide now so it works in Firefox, Chrome, etc. to block malicious websites as well?

Thank you in advance for any and all information!

 

[simmerskool]

Hello everyone,

I’m interested in finding out if using Windows Defender (WD) with HitmanPro.Alert (HMP.A) — ALL real-time modules/protections enabled — will cause any conflicts or issues?

fwiw, I always have had issues running hmp.a, I suggest WD + H_C by Andy Ful, lots of info here at MT.

 

[TheBlueCreeper512]

I can't say anything about WD and HMP.A compatibility issues, but there is an extension that you can download called Windows Defender Browser Protection, which is just like SmartScreen, and MS still hasn't integrated SmartScreen with other browsers besides IE and Edge.

 

[Cortex]

I'm using HMP.A with KIS with no issues & over the past few years I've only every had a conflict with one AV & that was a module in G-Data & I fixed that - I've run HMP.A with most AV's - I would be very surprised if you have any issues running it with Defender - Although of course each & every PC is different - IMHO I like HMP.A, the FP's from a couple of years ago have gone

 

[SeriousHoax]

Windows Defender doesn’t seem to have a browser extension either so how does it block malicious websites? Doesn’t Windows SmartScreen only work in Microsoft Edge? Or can it be enabled system-wide now so it works in Firefox, Chrome, etc. to block malicious websites as well?

It can't be enabled system wide and only available in Edge. For Chrome and other chromium forks you may use the "Windows Defender Browser Protection" extension. But stupid Microsoft haven't made it available for Firefox. So for Firefox you may use one of these extensions like TrafficLight/Malwarebytes Browser Guard/Emsisoft Browser Security if you want.

 

[Thales]

I tried this combo and had no issue.

 

[EndangeredPootis]

Hitmanpro.alert, if youre going to use it, should always be used in conjunction as a second layer of defense, it, like malwarebytes, is simply not good enough alone.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

I'm using HMP.A with KIS with no issues & over the past few years I've only every had a conflict with one AV & that was a module in G-Data & I fixed that - I've run HMP.A with most AV's - I would be very surprised if you have any issues running it with Defender - Although of course each & every PC is different - IMHO I like HMP.A, the FP's from a couple of years ago have gone

Used it a month ago had many false positives from most hit pro modules even had false positives with windows store apps including Store.
And the cloud AV of Hitman pro is so weak and I had false Positives with the cloud AV as well.
BTW crypto guard 5.0 is weak in my testing as well barley blocked most zero day ransomware.

Hello everyone,

I’m interested in finding out if using Windows Defender (WD) with HitmanPro.Alert (HMP.A) — ALL real-time modules/protections enabled — will cause any conflicts or issues?

Has this set-up been done before successfully for an extended period of time with little-to-no issues? Should certain settings be disabled in WD such as Cloud Protection or PUP detection?

Are there any specific tweaks that should be done to either Windows Defender, HitmanPro.Alert or both? Maybe some exclusions for each other or something? Back in the day, I used Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) with Malwarebytes Premium (MB). I had to put in certain MB files as exclusions in MSE and vice versa in MB for MSE files. Are there certain files like that I should be excluding?

Windows Defender works well even after a Microsoft Windows Update. Makes sense; it’s completely integrated into the system so there shouldn’t be any issues. But, does adding HitmanPro.Alert cause instability problems?

Would WD + HMP.A be “enough” in regards to decent protection? I’m not talking about cream of the crop protection that certain suites such as Kaspersky, BitDefender, or Emsisoft provide. I’m asking if it covers all of the bases when it comes to malware protection, ransomware protection, etc. even if it takes longer for them to update signatures or heuristics than “premium” products.

Final Question: Most mainstream AV products have some sort of browser extension to block malicious websites. I believe only ESET doesn’t use an extension. Windows Defender doesn’t seem to have a browser extension either so how does it block malicious websites? Doesn’t Windows SmartScreen only work in Microsoft Edge? Or can it be enabled system-wide now so it works in Firefox, Chrome, etc. to block malicious websites as well?

Thank you in advance for any and all information!

I recommend using Andy H_C+ Configure Defender without Hitman pro Alert.
you will have a lower attack surface without all the bugs and false positives.

 

[Brahman]

HMPa cost around 34$ just for an year. You can get Kaspersky total security for 3 years for half of that amount (Kaspersky Total Security Latest Version- 1 User, 3 Years (CD): Amazon.in: Software) and Kaspersky will give you much more advanced protection that HMPa can even dream of. (https://www.amazon.in/Kaspersky-Int...s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1591095221&sr=1-2&th=1 ...........one year)

 

[Cortex]

Used it a month ago had many false positives from most hit pro modules even had false positives with windows store apps including Store.
And the cloud AV of Hitman pro is so weak and I had false Positives with the cloud AV as well.
BTW crypto guard 5.0 is weak in my testing as well barley blocked most zero day ransomware.

I recommend using Andy H_C+ Configure Defender without Hitman pro Alert.
you will have a lower attack surface without all the bugs and false positives.

I honestly can't remember the last FP I had with HMP.A either with this new build or the one I used before it's also on my other half's newish lappy - I can only conclude something is probably not OK on the PC you used it on - As to the effectiveness of HMP.A & to whether it's worth buying that's another story, I believe it is & I don't mind paying for what is IMHO good software, I run HMP.A with KIS & Adguard - But for the same program to give such polar differences is puzzling? I have over 50 none MS programs on this PC & it gets good use.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

I honestly can't remember the last FP I had with HMP.A either with this new build or the one I used before it's also on my other half's newish lappy - I can only conclude something is probably not OK on the PC you used it on - As to the effectiveness of HMP.A & to whether it's worth buying that's another story, I believe it is - But for the same program to give such polar differences is puzzling? I have over 50 none MS programs on this PC & it gets good use.

What version of Hitman pro Alert are you running?

 

[Cortex]

3.8.4.871 Which I'm pretty sure is latest? I've used HMP.A for some years now.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

3.8.4.871 Which I'm pretty sure is latest? I've used HMP.A for some years now.

Same version I had issues with.

 

[PotentialUser]

Thank you to everyone who answered!

Apologies for the tag but are H_C and Configure Defender completely open-source or partially? This is my first time reading about your product and it looks quite interesting. @Andy Ful

It can't be enabled system wide and only available in Edge. For Chrome and other chromium forks you may use the "Windows Defender Browser Protection" extension. But stupid Microsoft haven't made it available for Firefox. So for Firefox you may use one of these extensions like TrafficLight/Malwarebytes Browser Guard/Emsisoft Browser Security if you want.

Oh wow, there is an extension available for Chrome? I didn’t know that! Is there a link to download via WD’s GUI itself? I found it by googling but I prefer direct links within the application as I’m more cautious of what I download/install into the browser. Plus, I found this on MT — pretty sure it’s unrelated but I’m cautious all the same.

Used it a month ago had many false positives from most hit pro modules even had false positives with windows store apps including Store.
And the cloud AV of Hitman pro is so weak and I had false Positives with the cloud AV as well.
BTW crypto guard 5.0 is weak in my testing as well barley blocked most zero day ransomware.

I recommend using Andy H_C+ Configure Defender without Hitman pro Alert.
you will have a lower attack surface without all the bugs and false positives.

I’ll definitely take a look at H_C. Is there a video guide somewhere or are the manuals on the website all the instruction that is available

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Thank you to everyone who answered!

Apologies for the tag but are H_C and Configure Defender completely open-source or partially? This is my first time reading about your product and it looks quite interesting. @Andy Ful



Oh wow, there is an extension available for Chrome? I didn’t know that! Is there a link to download via WD’s GUI itself? I found it by googling but I prefer direct links within the application as I’m more cautious of what I download/install into the browser. Plus, I found this on MT — pretty sure it’s unrelated but I’m cautious all the same.




I’ll definitely take a look at H_C. Is there a video guide somewhere or are the manuals on the website all the instruction that is available

There is the main thread here on MalwareTips:

Hard_Configurator - Windows Hardening Configurator

Post updated in July 2023. WARNING! The fake domain hard-configurator.com is currently (May 2023) used by some malicious actors. Please do not use it. Someone tries to fool people who want to get information about Hard_Configurator. Support for Windows 11 22H2 was added in the new version...

malwaretips.com

Latest and recommended version for Windows 10 (beta 5.1.1.1) is discussed beginning here:

Hard_Configurator - Windows Hardening Configurator

Hi Andy I do have a question: I have hc currently at recommended , but everytime i want to run patchmypc it is getting blocked and I have to turn off protection manually. Same goes die updating programs menually like internet download manager and km player : exe's do get to download , but the...

malwaretips.com

Website:

Hard_Configurator — Home

GitHub:

GitHub - AndyFul/Hard_Configurator: GUI to Manage Software Restriction Policies and harden Windows Home OS

GUI to Manage Software Restriction Policies and harden Windows Home OS - AndyFul/Hard_Configurator

github.com

When you install Hard_Configurator help files and a manual are included.

 

[Andy Ful]

...
I’ll definitely take a look at H_C. Is there a video guide somewhere or are the manuals on the website all the instruction that is available

In the present form, the H_C is for semi-advanced users and requires some learning. If you will want to try it then start from the Windows_10_Basic_Recommended_Settings (if Windows 10 is your system). More advanced settings are for advanced users, especially when they want to restrict the computers of inexperienced users (casual users, children, etc.).

 

[SeriousHoax]

Oh wow, there is an extension available for Chrome? I didn’t know that! Is there a link to download via WD’s GUI itself? I found it by googling but I prefer direct links within the application as I’m more cautious of what I download/install into the browser. Plus, I found this on MT — pretty sure it’s unrelated but I’m cautious all the same.

Only download the extension from the chrome webstore and you should be fine. I guess you already found the correct one after googling.

 

[Thales]

Hitmanpro.alert, if youre going to use it, should always be used in conjunction as a second layer of defense, it, like malwarebytes, is simply not good enough alone.

Is it good for average joe? nope
Is it good for experienced MT users? Yes, combined with something else like OSA, H_C or SysHardener.

In a good hands it is more than enough.

 

[EndangeredPootis]

Is it good for average joe? nope
Is it good for experienced MT users? Yes, combined with something else like OSA, H_C or SysHardener.

In a good hands it is more than enough.

Which is kinda pointless considering if youre experienced enough youre going to understand that all you need is hardening software and backups, you dont need to pay for software to protect you in real time.

 

[PotentialUser]

Only download the extension from the chrome webstore and you should be fine. I guess you already found the correct one after googling.

This should be it, yes? — Windows Defender Browser Protection

There is the main thread here on MalwareTips:

Hard_Configurator - Windows Hardening Configurator

Post updated in July 2023. WARNING! The fake domain hard-configurator.com is currently (May 2023) used by some malicious actors. Please do not use it. Someone tries to fool people who want to get information about Hard_Configurator. Support for Windows 11 22H2 was added in the new version...

malwaretips.com

Latest and recommended version for Windows 10 (beta 5.1.1.1) is discussed beginning here:

Hard_Configurator - Windows Hardening Configurator

Hi Andy I do have a question: I have hc currently at recommended , but everytime i want to run patchmypc it is getting blocked and I have to turn off protection manually. Same goes die updating programs menually like internet download manager and km player : exe's do get to download , but the...

malwaretips.com

Website:

Hard_Configurator — Home

GitHub:

GitHub - AndyFul/Hard_Configurator: GUI to Manage Software Restriction Policies and harden Windows Home OS

GUI to Manage Software Restriction Policies and harden Windows Home OS - AndyFul/Hard_Configurator

github.com

When you install Hard_Configurator help files and a manual are included.

I appreciate the link Gandalf. You shall definitely pass, servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Huge LoTR fan!

In the present form, the H_C is for semi-advanced users and requires some learning. If you will want to try it then start from the Windows_10_Basic_Recommended_Settings (if Windows 10 is your system). More advanced settings are for advanced users, especially when they want to restrict the computers of inexperienced users (casual users, children, etc.).

Hey Andy, thanks for the recommendation! I have some questions that I posted in the official H_C thread that Gandalf linked above. That way future users of H_C can find my questions and your answers in one place on the official thread. Whenever you have some free time, please answer them. I’m looking forward to using your app