Is anyone hardening their defences in light of recent cyber attacks?

kelper · Apr 11, 2026

I'm playing with Simplewall to see if adding extra controls to Windows Filtering Platform and turning off the Windows firewall is effective without negatives.

I used it to disable quite a lot and, so far, I have had no issues.

Ghot · Apr 11, 2026

kelper said:
I'm playing with Simplewall to see if adding extra controls to Windows Filtering Platform and turning off the Windows firewall is effective without negatives.

I used it to disable quite a lot and, so far, I have had no issues.

Another good one is Tiny Wall

kelper · Apr 11, 2026

Ghot said:
Another good one is Tiny Wall

Do you use either?

Ghot · Apr 11, 2026

kelper said:
Do you use either?

I use Bitdefender Total Security AV/firewall (paid).
I started using BD in Windows 7.

The only modules I use are: AV, Advanced Threat Defense and Firewall.

The firewall is really easy. I just set it to "Block all", and then only let the few things I need... through the firewall.
The "Applications" column tells you what's trying to get through the firewall, and the "Rules" column lets you allow/deny.

The only things I allow through the firewall always, are Firefox, svchost.exe and wau manager.exe
Anything else, like: EDGE, Media Creation Tool, some Github things, etc., I allow only when I need them.

The only cyber attacks that can really get through Macrium Reflect's boot-time Restore, are BIOS infections (which are very rare, thankfully).
Anything else, including Ransomware can be eradicated with MR's bootable Rescue Media's "Restore" function.

Ok... NOW I'm done editing.

Alejandro85 · Apr 15, 2026

What are those "recent cyberattacks" you're defending against?

Marcus Vinicus · Apr 15, 2026

I haven't made any significant changes to my security posture on my two computers for a while now. I made most of the changes several years ago.

My AV software is Bitdefender Total Security. I use 2FA whenever available, My password manager is Dashlane. I always use long cryptic passwords generated by Dashlane when I need one.

kelper · Apr 16, 2026

Alejandro85 said:
What are those "recent cyberattacks" you're defending against?

Don't you read the news?

OAT · Apr 16, 2026

Haven't changed a darn thing and am not worried one byte.

kelper · Apr 16, 2026

I am thinking of the increased use of AI to generate plausible phishing messages and even faked voice calls. A lot of these are aimed at home users, especially the elderly. But I have started using Simplewall to set rules and to see which apps are seeking internet access. I am on high alert for scams and use 2FA where necessary. I use a password manager for most websites but for banking they are all memorised and not written down anywhere. I'm using Webroot antimalware because, in my belief, it offers better protection than Windows Security.

BruceR · Apr 16, 2026

kelper said:
I am thinking of the increased use of AI to generate plausible phishing messages and even faked voice calls. A lot of these are aimed at home users, especially the elderly.

What's recent about that?

kelper · Apr 16, 2026

Vishing is very recent.

BruceR · Apr 16, 2026

kelper said:
Vishing is very recent.

More than two years is not very recent:

With the growing popularity of GenAI tools, voice-based phishing attacks - also known as ‘vishing’ - have become the new norm and organizations have to combat this evolution by modernizing their IT security.

The evolution of phishing: vishing & quishing -- published March 6, 2024

FAQ: What is vishing?

The story of a real vishing attack: detailed incident walkthrough -- October 5, 2023

andrew129260 · Apr 16, 2026

I have been meaning to do this for awhile, but I finally implemented vlans across my network.

Just didn't have the time before. I finally sat down and got that done.

I also increased every wifi password as far as it would allow.

I set up email alerts for any suspicious logs for the router.

For my pc's, I use windows firewall and block mostly everything just in case.

It is going to get a lot worse before it gets better sadly.

I am very concerned about the usa blocking router sales as it seems like more of a bribe than forcing actual improvements to security.
Instead they just made a ticking time bomb by making most routers lose support by next year.

If it somehow leads to better router security I am all for it.

In the meantime, I have also set up a password with my parents, and my wifes parents so that they cannot be easily tricked by AI voices and the like.

If we dont give the password, its fake. This stops even very accurate voice fakes / video and other AI phishing.

I think taking a little extra time right now is worth looking at your stuff and see what you can improve.

KevTech · Apr 16, 2026

AI is blocked.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 16, 2026

I don't respond to any phone calls wanting me to do things, and I don't click on any links I don't know. I use Defender and Malwarebytes as my malware screens, and have done so for years. 95% of avoiding most of the bad guys attempts is not being stupid and falling for the bait.

I also never bit on the offer of $26 million from the Nigerian Prince! :lmao:

Alejandro85 · Apr 16, 2026

kelper said:
Don't you read the news?

Nothing particular, there is no link in the OP either.

Ghot · Apr 16, 2026

Q: Is anyone hardening their defences in light of recent cyber attacks?

A: Yes. I filled my computer with concrete. Viruses check in, but they don't check out.

Seriously... post #4

snerd · Apr 16, 2026

Marcus Vinicus said:
I haven't made any significant changes to my security posture on my two computers for a while now. I made most of the changes several years ago.

My AV software is Bitdefender Total Security. I use 2FA whenever available, My password manager is Dashlane. I always use long cryptic passwords generated by Dashlane when I need one.

View attachment 168937

For some reason, when I renewed my Bitdefender Total Security a couple of weeks ago, they renamed it to Bitdefender Premium Personal. No idea why, everything still looks the same.

oldschool · Apr 16, 2026

A lot of malware news is clickbait.

Still the same hardened Windows Security setup here. Stay safe, not paranoid.

Ghot · Apr 16, 2026

snerd said:
For some reason, when I renewed my Bitdefender Total Security a couple of weeks ago, they renamed it to Bitdefender Premium Personal. No idea why, everything still looks the same.

When I renew mine, I always call their 24/7 phone number and do it through them.
I'm in the US, the number I use is... 954-414-9655

I never use that automatic renew through the email.
The email renew, usually asks for a higher price than their website.

I've been running BD av/firewall/etc since 2013.

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