Privacy and security have become growing issues for internet users, not least with increased government surveillance and corporate user data collection, and a long list of well-publicized hack attacks in which this user data was stolen and misused.
Although some protections are in place for Windows and macOS computers, and there are additional choices such as using a VPN or Tor browser, there are also a range of Linux distros that put privacy and security at their core.
Linux Operating Systems are better than their Mac and Windows counterparts for privacy and security. They are also open-source, ensuring that they are much less likely to conceal backdoors for their creators, the NSA or anyone else.
For this reason, Linux distros are the preferred Operating System for security professionals and privacy advocates as well as for most computer servers around the globe.
Linux distros are several to choose from. And this can make things difficult for someone who wants to step away from Windows in search of something better. Even current Linux users may be somewhat unsure as to which Linux distro they should use if they value privacy and protection.
In this article we're going to walk you through two of the best Linux distros to secure your data and keep clear of hackers. All Linux distros have similar characteristics and advantages which means they all do slightly different things. There are however two Linux distros that stand out in terms of privacy.
Qubes OS-
Qubes is recognized for the privacy and security of being one of the best Linux distros. It is a Fedora based OS mainly intended for use on desktop computers and laptops. Why, then, is this good for privacy?
Firstly, it works by isolating and virtualizing different Virtual Machines, thereby promoting "security by isolation." This ensures any risky application you may run is confined to a separate Virtual Machine (VM). Consequently, Qubes protects the data by isolating it into completely sandboxed environments.
What's great about Qubes is that the desktop uses color-coded windows to distinguish virtual machines that have different levels of protection. That makes keeping track of your workflow in the different VMs simple.
In Qubes, the network stack and WiFi drivers are running in a dedicated, unprivileged VM (NetVM) network. This what the surface of the attack which makes it much less vulnerable to hackers. Additionally, Qubes OS is default firewalled so that no incoming ports are available. By example, TCP and ICMP timestamps are deactivated.
In Qubes, protection against user data leaks can be given by setting an empty NetVM field for the corresponding VM. All of these are top-notch features that help ensure protection and privacy when networking.
Qubes ServiceVMs can be set up as a Static DisposableVM to protect users from the possibility of persistent malware over VM reboots. A disposable VM can be used to quickly open untrusted apps, links, attachments or anything else that is perceived as a potential threat.
Hardware vulnerability minimization is in effect for added protection, ensuring microphones are never connected to VMs by design. And in order to boost security, users may choose to use a Yubikey for authorization purposes- which protects against password snooping and bolsters the protection of the USB keyboards. Moreover, the USB stack can be shielded in a dedicated USB VM, which protects the administrative domain (dom0) from untrusted USB devices.
Finally, by default, Qubes implements full-disk encryption (it uses LUKS dm-crypt), and users can configure their encryption parameters manually, if they so wish. That ensures that data between sessions is always protected.
As with other Linux Distros, Qubes is tedious to use and certainly not for the "average" user. However, you do install Qubes directly (instead of booting up each time from a CD); which makes it safer for daily use than Tails.
To install the OS on your computer safely, you should always verify on the downloaded ISO for the digital signature. Because it is likely that the ISO server may have been compromised, it is also worth mentioning that you will need to manually upgrade all of your Debian and Whonix TemplateVMs immediately after installing the new version of Qubes to fix the weakness of the APT update system that has been discovered since its release.
Once you have checked authenticity, you can opt for an installation medium such as a DVD or a USB stick. Anyone who wants to be able to install Qubes and boot from it on a USB stick (although this will be much slower than an internal hard drive, it can be useful for testing). You can't install Qubes on a virtual machine though; it won't work.
Ultimately, Qubes is a highly stable operating system that is not prone to crashes and is designed from the ground up with a view to privacy and protection. This also utilizes device capital incredibly effectively, which is perfect for efficiency.
TAILS-
Tails is a Linux distro (based on Debian) widely known as the best for web users who choose to stay super-anonymous. We are continuously monitored when we use the internet; cookies are put on our computers to track us when we visit websites and our IP address is registered.
Tails is designed to solve these and other problems altogether. It is for this reason that for whistleblowers like Edward Snowden or journalists like Glenn Greenwald, Tails is the Linux distro of preference.
Unlike Qubes which you can install directly on your computer and which can be used daily-Tails is built to run off a LiveCD at all times. This means no traces are left on your screen. In fact, the whole point of Tails is that you never save something to your hard disk permanently. You reboot your Computer when you finish a session, clean the RAM of the machine; and it is like you've never been there at all!
Tails is not really an choice for a regular driver for this reason (and should only be used by people who need safe single session functionality). Anyone who wants a regular driver will stick to Qubes or Whonix.
Why, then, is Tails so perfect for privacy? Tails route all through Tor, so you can never be tracked online, which gives you absolute anonymity. The anonymity offered by Tor's onion network (added to the fact that after each session, the OS never leaves any traces behind) makes Tails highly attractive to users who want to ensure that their data is never vulnerable to intrusion or data theft. Note, though Qubes encrypts your disk for safety- Tails solves the problem by simply ensuring nothing is ever left behind. This is called an amnesia system.
You can boot the Tails from a LiveCD, USB, or SD card. Still, booting from a LiveCD is far more safe. This is because a CD is burned indefinitely and can not be changed (this is not the case for the other boot mediums; which are vulnerable to malware).
Let's say Tails isn't for the fainthearted. It is complex, difficult to install and only runs on certain computers. Nonetheless, you should be able to get it started if you have a Linux-friendly computer (without a high-powered video card or any other equipment that might screw things up).
It's also worth remembering that while a secure configuration is possible, there are several ways that users can inadvertently ruin their own security settings. As a consequence, this OS is only for experienced users with the know-how (and patience) to get it to function properly.
A Tails LiveCD can also be used for certain users to boot a session at an internet cafe or library. Even if a device is running Windows, Tails users can boot from the CD and the PC will ignore Windows and sideload Tails onto the machine; offering a fresh RAM loaded session that will vanish entirely when the PC is rebooted. And, the new Tails versions can also hide you inside a local network, performing spoofing of MAC addresses to make it harder to monitor.
When within a booted Tails version, users are granted access to specialist versions of applications for web browsing, email, chat, etc. Basically, such programs are hardened for protection, which may take some to get used to. On the plus hand, it is a valuable set of open source programs which are best suited for users with Tails. And Tails uses state-of-the-art cryptography to encrypt your files, emails, and instant messaging to ensure that they are secure during transit.
Overall, Tails is an advanced Linux distro, suitable for anyone who wants to escape monitoring and achieve online privacy while maintaining a fully neutral and clean computer as well. It's not for people looking to use the internet on a regular basis- surfing typical websites and services.
Furthermore, Tails is not successful in defending against cyber attacks with exploits and root exploits. Qubes and Whonix are a better choice for that kind of functionality.
- Optional Ways to Remain Private When Using Linux- If you're a Linux user who takes your internet privacy seriously, then we suggest using a Linux VPN. A VPN is a piece of software that updates your IP address and encrypts all your traffic on the internet. This ensures that monitoring what you're doing on the internet becomes more complicated for the government, the internet provider, marketers and hackers.
Linux Distro for Privacy for Beginners-
The above-mentioned Linux distros are considered two of the best for privacy (both have very specific capabilities which make each one better for different cases of use and models of threat). Some, however, such as Whonix (a privacy distro that links to Tor and boots in a VM) may be of interest to individual users as well.
What's important to remember is that there isn't really a "best" Linux privacy distro- because they all do slightly different things that might be better for case scenarios for individual use.
It should also be noted that the Linux distros mentioned in this article are not considered appropriate for the first time for beginners to make their way to Linux. To those users, choosing a Linux distro like Mint or Ubuntu is safer.
Those Linux versions are considered better for privacy and security than Windows and Mac- since they are open source. They are also much more suited to day-to-day regular use though.
The good thing about these Linux distros is it's bloat-free, great for system efficiency and free! So, if you want to switch to a more privacy-conscious environment, consider Ubuntu or Mint before working to more advanced versions of the operating system.