mirror of
https://github.com/privacyguides/privacyguides.org.git
synced 2026-06-26 19:54:46 +00:00
style!: Convert recommendations to Hugo formatting
This commit is contained in:
@@ -2,11 +2,19 @@
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title: "Android"
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description: Our advice for replacing privacy-invasive default Android features with private and secure alternatives.
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---
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{ align=right }
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<style>
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.pg-width-120 {
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width: 120px;
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}
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</style>
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{ .pg-width-120}
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The **Android Open Source Project** (AOSP) is an open-source mobile operating system led by Google which powers the majority of the world's mobile devices. Most phones sold with Android are modified to include invasive integrations and apps such as Google Play Services, so you can significantly improve your privacy on your mobile device by replacing your phone's default installation with a version of Android without these invasive features.
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[General Android Overview :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](../os/android-overview.md){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
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[General Android Overview](../os/android-overview.md)
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{ .md-button .md-button--primary }
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## Our Advice
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@@ -14,11 +22,13 @@ The **Android Open Source Project** (AOSP) is an open-source mobile operating sy
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There are many methods of obtaining apps on Android while avoiding Google Play. Whenever possible, try using one of these methods before getting your apps from non-private sources:
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[Obtaining Applications :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](obtaining-apps.md){ .md-button }
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[Obtaining Applications](obtaining-apps.md)
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{ .md-button }
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There are also many private alternatives to the apps that come pre-installed on your phone, such as the camera app. Besides the Android apps we recommend throughout this site in general, we've created a list of system utilities specific to Android which you might find useful.
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[General App Recommendations :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](general-apps.md){ .md-button }
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[General App Recommendations](general-apps.md)
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{ .md-button }
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### Install a Custom Distribution
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@@ -28,7 +38,8 @@ This problem could be solved by using an alternative Android distribution, commo
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Ideally, when choosing a custom Android distribution, you should make sure that it upholds the Android security model. At the very least, the distribution should have production builds, support for AVB, rollback protection, timely firmware and operating system updates, and SELinux in [enforcing mode](https://source.android.com/security/selinux/concepts#enforcement_levels). All of our recommended Android distributions satisfy these criteria:
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[Recommended Distributions :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](distributions.md){ .md-button }
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[Recommended Distributions](distributions.md)
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{ .md-button }
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### Avoid Root
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+15
-17
@@ -11,32 +11,30 @@ A **custom Android-based operating system** (sometimes referred to as a **custom
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We recommend installing GrapheneOS if you have a Google Pixel as it provides improved security hardening and additional privacy features. The reasons we don't list other operating systems or devices are as follows:
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- They often have [weaker security](index.md#install-a-custom-distribution).
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- They often have [weaker security](../_index.md#install-a-custom-distribution).
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- Support is frequently dropped when the maintainer loses interest or upgrades their device, which is in contrast to the predictable [support cycle](https://grapheneos.org/faq#device-lifetime) that GrapheneOS follows.
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- They generally have few or no notable privacy or security improvements that make installing them worthwhile.
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<div class="pg-card-logos">
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{{< cards >}}
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{{< card link="#grapheneos" title="GrapheneOS" image="./grapheneos.svg" subtitle="GrapheneOS hardens the Android stack on supported Pixels with verified boot, firmware updates, and sandboxed Play." >}}
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{{< /cards >}}
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</div>
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## GrapheneOS
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<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
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{ align=right }
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{ align=right }
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**GrapheneOS** is the best choice when it comes to privacy and security.
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GrapheneOS provides additional [security hardening](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardening_(computing)) and privacy improvements. It has a [hardened memory allocator](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/hardened_malloc), network and sensor permissions, and various other [security features](https://grapheneos.org/features). GrapheneOS also comes with full firmware updates and signed builds, so verified boot is fully supported.
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[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://grapheneos.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
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[:octicons-eye-16:](https://grapheneos.org/faq#privacy-policy){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
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[:octicons-info-16:](https://grapheneos.org/faq){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
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[:octicons-code-16:](https://grapheneos.org/source){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
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||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://grapheneos.org/donate){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
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||||
{{< cards >}}
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||||
{{< card link="https://grapheneos.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
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{{< card link="https://grapheneos.org/faq#privacy-policy" title="Privacy Policy" icon="eye" >}}
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{{< /cards >}}
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</div>
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GrapheneOS supports [sandboxed Google Play](https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play), which runs Google Play Services fully sandboxed like any other regular app. This means you can take advantage of most Google Play Services, such as push notifications, while giving you full control over their permissions and access, and while containing them to a specific [work profile](../android-overview.md#work-profile) or [user profile](../android-overview.md#user-profiles) of your choice.
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GrapheneOS supports [sandboxed Google Play](https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play), which runs Google Play Services fully sandboxed like any other regular app. This means you can take advantage of most Google Play Services, such as push notifications, while giving you full control over their permissions and access, and while containing them to a specific [work profile](../os/android-overview.md#work-profile) or [user profile](../os/android-overview.md#user-profiles) of your choice.
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[Google Pixel phones](../mobile-phones.md#google-pixel) are the only devices that currently meet GrapheneOS's [hardware security requirements](https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices). The Pixel 8 and later support ARM's Memory Tagging Extension (MTE), a hardware security enhancement that drastically lowers the probability of exploits occurring through memory corruption bugs. GrapheneOS greatly expands the coverage of MTE on supported devices. Whereas the stock OS only allows you to opt in to a limited implementation of MTE via a developer option or Google's Advanced Protection Program, GrapheneOS features a more robust implementation of MTE by default in the system kernel, default system components, and their Vanadium web browser and its WebView.
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[Google Pixel phones](../../hardware/mobile-phones/_index.md#google-pixel) are the only devices that currently meet GrapheneOS's [hardware security requirements](https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices). The Pixel 8 and later support ARM's Memory Tagging Extension (MTE), a hardware security enhancement that drastically lowers the probability of exploits occurring through memory corruption bugs. GrapheneOS greatly expands the coverage of MTE on supported devices. Whereas the stock OS only allows you to opt in to a limited implementation of MTE via a developer option or Google's Advanced Protection Program, GrapheneOS features a more robust implementation of MTE by default in the system kernel, default system components, and their Vanadium web browser and its WebView.
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GrapheneOS also provides a global toggle for enabling MTE on all user-installed apps at :gear: **Settings** → **Security & privacy** → **Exploit protection** → **Memory tagging** → **Enable by default**. The OS also features per-app toggles to opt out of MTE for apps which may crash due to compatibility issues.
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@@ -44,11 +42,11 @@ GrapheneOS also provides a global toggle for enabling MTE on all user-installed
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By default, Android makes many network connections to Google to perform DNS connectivity checks, to sync with current network time, to check your network connectivity, and for many other background tasks. GrapheneOS replaces these with connections to servers operated by GrapheneOS and subject to their privacy policy. This hides information like your IP address [from Google](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#privacy-from-service-providers), but means it is trivial for an admin on your network or ISP to see you are making connections to `grapheneos.network`, `grapheneos.org`, etc. and deduce what operating system you are using.
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If you want to hide information like this from an adversary on your network or ISP, you **must** use a [trusted VPN](../vpn.md) in addition to changing the connectivity check setting to **Standard (Google)**. It can be found in :gear: **Settings** → **Network & internet** → **Internet connectivity checks**. This option allows you to connect to Google's servers for connectivity checks, which, alongside the usage of a VPN, helps you blend in with a larger pool of Android devices.
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If you want to hide information like this from an adversary on your network or ISP, you **must** use a [trusted VPN](../../services/vpn/_index.md) in addition to changing the connectivity check setting to **Standard (Google)**. It can be found in :gear: **Settings** → **Network & internet** → **Internet connectivity checks**. This option allows you to connect to Google's servers for connectivity checks, which, alongside the usage of a VPN, helps you blend in with a larger pool of Android devices.
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## Criteria
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||||
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||||
**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
|
||||
**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../../../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
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||||
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||||
- Must be open-source software.
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- Must support bootloader locking with custom AVB key support.
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+31
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@@ -8,23 +8,26 @@ description: The apps listed here are Android-exclusive and specifically enhance
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We recommend a wide variety of Android apps throughout this site. The apps listed here are Android-exclusive and specifically enhance or replace key system functionality.
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||||
### Shelter
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||||
<div class="pg-card-logos">
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||||
{{< cards >}}
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||||
{{< card link="#shelter" title="Shelter" image="./shelter.svg" subtitle="Shelter uses a managed work profile to isolate or duplicate apps with optional cross-profile controls." >}}
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||||
{{< card link="#secure-camera" title="Secure Camera" image="./secure_camera.svg" subtitle="Secure Camera captures media with minimal metadata and modern Android storage APIs." >}}
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||||
{{< card link="#secure-pdf-viewer" title="Secure PDF Viewer" image="./secure_pdf_viewer.svg" subtitle="Secure PDF Viewer renders PDFs in a sandboxed WebView without broad file permissions." >}}
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||||
{{< /cards >}}
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||||
</div>
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||||
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||||
If your device is on Android 15 or greater, we recommend using the native [Private Space](../os/android-overview.md#private-space) feature instead, which provides nearly the same functionality without needing to place trust in and grant powerful permissions to a third-party app.
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## Shelter
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||||
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||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
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||||
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||||
{ align=right }
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||||
If your device is on Android 15 or greater, we recommend using the native [Private Space](../android-overview.md#private-space) feature instead, which provides nearly the same functionality without needing to place trust in and grant powerful permissions to a third-party app.
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||||
**Shelter** is an app that helps you leverage Android's Work Profile functionality to isolate or duplicate apps on your device.
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||||
Shelter supports blocking contact search cross profiles and sharing files across profiles via the default file manager ([DocumentsUI](https://source.android.com/devices/architecture/modular-system/documentsui)).
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||||
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||||
[:octicons-repo-16: Repository](https://gitea.angry.im/PeterCxy/Shelter#shelter){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
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||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://gitea.angry.im/PeterCxy/Shelter){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
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||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://patreon.com/PeterCxy){ .card-link title=Contribute }
|
||||
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||||
</div>
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||||
{{< cards >}}
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||||
{{< card link="https://gitea.angry.im/PeterCxy/Shelter#shelter" title="Repository" icon="code" >}}
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||||
{{< card link="https://patreon.com/PeterCxy" title="Contribute" icon="heart" >}}
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||||
{{< /cards >}}
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||||
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||||
<div class="admonition warning" markdown>
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||||
<p class="admonition-title">Warning</p>
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||||
@@ -35,34 +38,22 @@ When using Shelter, you are placing complete trust in its developer, as Shelter
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||||
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||||
Shelter is recommended over [Insular](https://secure-system.gitlab.io/Insular) and [Island](https://github.com/oasisfeng/island) as it supports [contact search blocking](https://secure-system.gitlab.io/Insular/faq.html).
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||||
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||||
### Secure Camera
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||||
## Secure Camera
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||||
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||||
<small>Protects against the following threat(s):</small>
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||||
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||||
[{{< badge content="Public Exposure" color="green" >}}](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#limiting-public-information)
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||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
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||||
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||||
{ align=right }
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||||
{ align=right }
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||||
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||||
**Secure Camera** is a camera app focused on privacy and security which can capture images, videos, and QR codes. CameraX vendor extensions (Portrait, HDR, Night Sight, Face Retouch, and Auto) are also supported on available devices.
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||||
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||||
[:octicons-repo-16: Repository](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera#readme){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://grapheneos.org/usage#camera){ .card-link title=Documentation}
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://grapheneos.org/donate){ .card-link title=Contribute }
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera#readme" title="Repository" icon="code" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://grapheneos.org/usage#camera" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
<details class="downloads" markdown>
|
||||
<summary>Downloads</summary>
|
||||
|
||||
- [:simple-googleplay: Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.grapheneos.camera.play)
|
||||
- [:simple-github: GitHub](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera/releases)
|
||||
- [:material-cube-outline: GrapheneOS App Store](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases)
|
||||
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||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
[{{< badge content="Google Play" color="green" >}}](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.grapheneos.camera.play)
|
||||
[{{< badge content="GitHub" >}}](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera/releases)
|
||||
[{{< badge content="GrapheneOS App Store" >}}](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases)
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||||
|
||||
Main privacy features include:
|
||||
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||||
@@ -75,43 +66,32 @@ Main privacy features include:
|
||||
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||||
Metadata is not currently deleted from video files, but that is planned.
|
||||
|
||||
The image orientation metadata is not deleted. If you enable location (in Secure Camera) that **won't** be deleted either. If you want to delete that later you will need to use an external app such as [ExifEraser](../data-redaction.md#exiferaser-android).
|
||||
The image orientation metadata is not deleted. If you enable location (in Secure Camera) that **won't** be deleted either. If you want to delete that later you will need to use an external app such as [ExifEraser](../../software/data-redaction/_index.md#exiferaser-android).
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
||||
### Secure PDF Viewer
|
||||
## Secure PDF Viewer
|
||||
|
||||
<small>Protects against the following threat(s):</small>
|
||||
|
||||
[{{< badge content="Targeted Attacks" color="red" >}}](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#attacks-against-specific-individuals)
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Secure PDF Viewer** is a PDF viewer based on [pdf.js](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF.js) that doesn't require any permissions. The PDF is fed into a [sandboxed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_(software_development)) [WebView](https://developer.android.com/guide/webapps/webview). This means that it doesn't require permission directly to access content or files.
|
||||
|
||||
[Content-Security-Policy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_Security_Policy) is used to enforce that the JavaScript and styling properties within the WebView are entirely static content.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-repo-16: Repository](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/PdfViewer#readme){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/PdfViewer){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://grapheneos.org/donate){ .card-link title=Contribute }
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://github.com/GrapheneOS/PdfViewer#readme" title="Repository" icon="code" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://grapheneos.org/donate" title="Contribute" icon="heart" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
<details class="downloads" markdown>
|
||||
<summary>Downloads</summary>
|
||||
|
||||
- [:simple-googleplay: Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.grapheneos.pdfviewer.play)
|
||||
- [:simple-github: GitHub](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/PdfViewer/releases)
|
||||
- [:material-cube-outline: GrapheneOS App Store](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases)
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
[{{< badge content="Google Play" color="green" >}}](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.grapheneos.pdfviewer.play)
|
||||
[{{< badge content="GitHub" >}}](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/PdfViewer/releases)
|
||||
[{{< badge content="GrapheneOS App Store" >}}](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases)
|
||||
|
||||
## Criteria
|
||||
|
||||
**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
|
||||
**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../../../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
|
||||
|
||||
- Applications on this page must not be applicable to any other software category on the site.
|
||||
- General applications should extend or replace core system functionality.
|
||||
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+25
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@@ -4,64 +4,52 @@ description: We recommend these methods for obtaining applications on Android wi
|
||||
---
|
||||
There are many ways to obtain Android apps privately, even from the Play Store, without interacting with Google Play Services. We recommend the following methods of obtaining applications on Android, listed in order of preference.
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="pg-card-logos">
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#obtainium" title="Obtainium" image="./obtainium.svg" subtitle="Obtainium is an app manager which allows you to install and update apps directly from the developer’s own releases page (i.e. GitHub, GitLab, the developer’s website, etc.), rather than a centralized app store/repository." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#grapheneos-app-store" title="GrapheneOS App Store" subtitle="GrapheneOS’s app store is available on GitHub. It supports Android 12 and above and is capable of updating itself. The app store has standalone applications built by the GrapheneOS project such as the Auditor, Camera, and PDF Viewer." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#aurora-store" title="Aurora Store" image="./aurora-store.webp" subtitle="Aurora Store is a Google Play Store client which does not require a Google account, Google Play Services, or microG to download apps." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#f-droid" title="F-Droid" image="./f-droid.svg" subtitle="We only recommend F-Droid as a way to obtain apps which cannot be obtained via the means above. F-Droid is often recommended as an alternative to Google Play, particularly within the privacy community. The option to add third-party repositories and not be confined to Google’s walled garden has led to its popularity." >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
||||
## Obtainium
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Obtainium** is an app manager which allows you to install and update apps directly from the developer's own releases page (i.e. GitHub, GitLab, the developer's website, etc.), rather than a centralized app store/repository. It supports automatic background updates on Android 12 and higher.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-repo-16: Repository](https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium#readme){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium/wiki){ .card-link title=Documentation}
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://github.com/sponsors/ImranR98){ .card-link title=Contribute }
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium#readme" title="Repository" icon="code" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium/wiki" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
<details class="downloads" markdown>
|
||||
<summary>Downloads</summary>
|
||||
|
||||
- [:simple-github: GitHub](https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium/releases)
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
[{{< badge content="GitHub" >}}](https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium/releases)
|
||||
|
||||
Obtainium allows you to download APK installer files from a wide variety of sources, and it is up to you to ensure those sources and apps are legitimate. For example, using Obtainium to install Signal from [Signal's APK landing page](https://signal.org/android/apk) should be fine, but installing from third-party APK repositories like Aptoide or APKPure may pose additional risks. The risk of installing a malicious *update* is lower, because Android itself verifies that all app updates are signed by the same developer as the existing app on your phone before installing them.
|
||||
|
||||
## GrapheneOS App Store
|
||||
|
||||
GrapheneOS's app store is available on [GitHub](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases). It supports Android 12 and above and is capable of updating itself. The app store has standalone applications built by the GrapheneOS project such as the [Auditor](../device-integrity.md#auditor-android), [Camera](general-apps.md#secure-camera), and [PDF Viewer](general-apps.md#secure-pdf-viewer). If you are looking for these applications, we highly recommend that you get them from GrapheneOS's app store instead of the Play Store, as the apps on their store are signed by the GrapheneOS's project own signature that Google does not have access to.
|
||||
GrapheneOS's app store is available on [GitHub](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases). It supports Android 12 and above and is capable of updating itself. The app store has standalone applications built by the GrapheneOS project such as the [Auditor](../../advanced/device-integrity/_index.md#auditor-android), [Camera](general-apps.md#secure-camera), and [PDF Viewer](general-apps.md#secure-pdf-viewer). If you are looking for these applications, we highly recommend that you get them from GrapheneOS's app store instead of the Play Store, as the apps on their store are signed by the GrapheneOS's project own signature that Google does not have access to.
|
||||
|
||||
## Aurora Store
|
||||
|
||||
The Google Play Store requires a Google account to log in, which is not great for privacy. You can get around this by using an alternative client, such as Aurora Store.
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Aurora Store** is a Google Play Store client which does not require a Google account, Google Play Services, or microG to download apps.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://auroraoss.com){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-eye-16:](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore/-/blob/master/POLICY.md){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://auroraoss.com" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore/-/blob/master/POLICY.md" title="Privacy Policy" icon="eye" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
<details class="downloads" markdown>
|
||||
<summary>Downloads</summary>
|
||||
|
||||
- [:simple-gitlab: GitLab](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore/-/releases)
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
[{{< badge content="GitLab" >}}](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore/-/releases)
|
||||
|
||||
Aurora Store does not allow you to download paid apps with their anonymous account feature. You can optionally log in with your Google account with Aurora Store to download apps you have purchased, which does give access to the list of apps you've installed to Google. However, you still benefit from not requiring the full Google Play client and Google Play Services or microG on your device.
|
||||
|
||||
## Manually with RSS Notifications
|
||||
|
||||
For apps that are released on platforms like GitHub and GitLab, you may be able to add an RSS feed to your [news aggregator](../news-aggregators.md) that will help you keep track of new releases.
|
||||
For apps that are released on platforms like GitHub and GitLab, you may be able to add an RSS feed to your [news aggregator](../../software/news-aggregators/_index.md) that will help you keep track of new releases.
|
||||
|
||||
   
|
||||
   
|
||||
|
||||
### GitHub
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -108,9 +96,9 @@ If you download APK files to install manually, you can verify their signature wi
|
||||
|
||||
## F-Droid
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right width=120px }
|
||||
<mark>We only recommend F-Droid as a way to obtain apps which cannot be obtained via the means above.</mark>
|
||||
|
||||
==We only recommend F-Droid as a way to obtain apps which cannot be obtained via the means above.== F-Droid is often recommended as an alternative to Google Play, particularly within the privacy community. The option to add third-party repositories and not be confined to Google's walled garden has led to its popularity. F-Droid additionally has [reproducible builds](https://f-droid.org/en/docs/Reproducible_Builds) for some applications and is dedicated to free and open-source software. However, there are some security-related downsides to how F-Droid builds, signs, and delivers packages:
|
||||
F-Droid is often recommended as an alternative to Google Play, particularly within the privacy community. The option to add third-party repositories and not be confined to Google's walled garden has led to its popularity. F-Droid additionally has [reproducible builds](https://f-droid.org/en/docs/Reproducible_Builds) for some applications and is dedicated to free and open-source software. However, there are some security-related downsides to how F-Droid builds, signs, and delivers packages:
|
||||
|
||||
Due to their process of building apps, apps in the *official* F-Droid repository often fall behind on updates. F-Droid maintainers also reuse package IDs while signing apps with their own keys, which is not ideal as it gives the F-Droid team ultimate trust. Additionally, the requirements for an app to be included in the official F-Droid repo are less strict than other app stores like Google Play, meaning that F-Droid tends to host a lot more apps which are older, unmaintained, or otherwise no longer meet [modern security standards](https://developer.android.com/google/play/requirements/target-sdk).
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -121,6 +109,6 @@ The [F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages) and [IzzyOnDroid](https://apt.izz
|
||||
<div class="admonition note" markdown>
|
||||
<p class="admonition-title">F-Droid Basic</p>
|
||||
|
||||
In some rare cases, the developer of an app will only distribute it through F-Droid ([Gadgetbridge](../health-and-wellness.md#gadgetbridge) is one example of this). If you really need an app like that, we recommend using the newer [F-Droid Basic](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fdroid.basic) client instead of the original F-Droid app to obtain it. F-Droid Basic supports automatic background updates without privileged extension or root, and has a reduced feature set (limiting attack surface).
|
||||
In some rare cases, the developer of an app will only distribute it through F-Droid ([Gadgetbridge](../../software/health-and-wellness/_index.md#gadgetbridge) is one example of this). If you really need an app like that, we recommend using the newer [F-Droid Basic](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fdroid.basic) client instead of the original F-Droid app to obtain it. F-Droid Basic supports automatic background updates without privileged extension or root, and has a reduced feature set (limiting attack surface).
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
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@@ -8,25 +8,33 @@ description: Linux distributions are commonly recommended for privacy protection
|
||||
|
||||
Linux distributions are commonly recommended for privacy protection and software freedom. If you don't already use Linux, below are some distributions we suggest trying out, as well as some general privacy and security improvement tips that are applicable to many Linux distributions.
|
||||
|
||||
- [General Linux Overview :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](os/linux-overview.md)
|
||||
- [General Linux Overview](../linux-overview.md)
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="pg-card-logos">
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#fedora-linux" title="Fedora Linux" image="./fedora.svg" subtitle="Fedora Linux is our recommended desktop distribution for people new to Linux. Fedora generally adopts newer technologies (e.g., Wayland and PipeWire) before other distributions. These new technologies often come with improvements in security, privacy, and usability in general." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#opensuse-tumbleweed" title="openSUSE Tumbleweed" image="./opensuse-tumbleweed.svg" subtitle="openSUSE Tumbleweed is a stable rolling release distribution. openSUSE Tumbleweed uses Btrfs and Snapper to ensure that snapshots can be rolled back should there be a problem." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#arch-linux" title="Arch Linux" image="./archlinux.svg" subtitle="Arch Linux is a lightweight, do-it-yourself (DIY) distribution, meaning that you only get what you install. For more information see their FAQ." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#fedora-atomic-desktops" title="Fedora Atomic Desktops" image="./fedora.svg" subtitle="Fedora Atomic Desktops are variants of Fedora which use the rpm-ostree package manager and have a strong focus on containerized workflows and Flatpak for desktop applications. All of these variants follow the same release schedule as Fedora Workstation, benefiting from the same fast updates and staying very close to upstream." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#nixos" title="NixOS" image="./nixos.svg" subtitle="NixOS is an independent distribution based on the Nix package manager with a focus on reproducibility and reliability." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#whonix" title="Whonix" image="./whonix.svg" subtitle="Whonix is based on Kicksecure, a security-focused fork of Debian. It aims to provide privacy, security, and anonymity on the internet. Whonix is best used in conjunction with Qubes OS." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#tails" title="Tails" image="./tails.svg" subtitle="Tails is a live operating system based on Debian that routes all communications through Tor, which can boot on on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card installation. It uses Tor to preserve privacy and anonymity while circumventing censorship, and it leaves no trace of itself on the computer it is used on after it is powered off." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#qubes-os" title="Qubes OS" image="./qubes_os.svg" subtitle="Qubes OS is an open-source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing through secure virtual machines (or “qubes”). Qubes is based on Xen, the X Window System, and Linux. It can run most Linux applications and use most of the Linux drivers." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#secureblue" title="Secureblue" image="./secureblue.svg" subtitle="Secureblue is a security-focused operating system based on Fedora Atomic Desktops. It includes a number of security features intended to proactively defend against the exploitation of both known and unknown vulnerabilities, and ships with Trivalent, their hardened, Chromium-based web browser." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#kicksecure" title="Kicksecure" image="./kicksecure.svg" subtitle="Kicksecure—in oversimplified terms—is a set of scripts, configurations, and packages that substantially reduce the attack surface of Debian. It covers a lot of privacy and hardening recommendations by default. It also serves as the base OS for Whonix." >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
||||
## Traditional Distributions
|
||||
|
||||
### Fedora Linux
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Fedora Linux** is our recommended desktop distribution for people new to Linux. Fedora generally adopts newer technologies (e.g., [Wayland](https://wayland.freedesktop.org) and [PipeWire](https://pipewire.org)) before other distributions. These new technologies often come with improvements in security, privacy, and usability in general.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://fedoraproject.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/docs){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://whatcanidoforfedora.org){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://fedoraproject.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/docs" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
Fedora comes in two primary desktop editions, [Fedora Workstation](https://fedoraproject.org/workstation), which uses the GNOME desktop environment, and [Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop](https://fedoraproject.org/kde), which uses KDE. Historically, Fedora Workstation has been more popular and widely recommended, but KDE has been gaining in popularity and provides an experience more similar to Windows, which may make transitioning to Linux easier for some. The security and privacy benefits of both editions are very similar, so it mostly comes down to personal preference.
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -34,65 +42,44 @@ Fedora has a semi-rolling release cycle. While some packages like the desktop en
|
||||
|
||||
### openSUSE Tumbleweed
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**openSUSE Tumbleweed** is a stable rolling release distribution.
|
||||
|
||||
openSUSE Tumbleweed uses [Btrfs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Btrfs) and [Snapper](https://en.opensuse.org/openSUSE:Snapper_Tutorial) to ensure that snapshots can be rolled back should there be a problem.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://get.opensuse.org/tumbleweed){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://doc.opensuse.org){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://shop.opensuse.org){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://get.opensuse.org/tumbleweed" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://doc.opensuse.org" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
Tumbleweed follows a rolling release model where each update is released as a snapshot of the distribution. When you upgrade your system, a new snapshot is downloaded. Each snapshot is run through a series of automated tests by [openQA](https://openqa.opensuse.org) to ensure its quality.
|
||||
|
||||
### Arch Linux
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Arch Linux** is a lightweight, do-it-yourself (DIY) distribution, meaning that you only get what you install. For more information see their [FAQ](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Frequently_asked_questions).
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://archlinux.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://wiki.archlinux.org){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://archlinux.org/donate){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://archlinux.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://wiki.archlinux.org" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
Arch Linux has a rolling release cycle. There is no fixed release schedule and packages are updated very frequently.
|
||||
|
||||
Being a DIY distribution, you are [expected to set up and maintain](os/linux-overview.md#arch-based-distributions) your system on your own. Arch has an [official installer](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Archinstall) to make the installation process a little easier.
|
||||
Being a DIY distribution, you are [expected to set up and maintain](../linux-overview.md#arch-based-distributions) your system on your own. Arch has an [official installer](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Archinstall) to make the installation process a little easier.
|
||||
|
||||
A large portion of [Arch Linux’s packages](https://reproducible.archlinux.org) are [reproducible](https://reproducible-builds.org)[^1].
|
||||
|
||||
## Atomic Distributions
|
||||
|
||||
**Atomic distributions** (sometimes also referred to as **immutable distributions**) are operating systems which handle package installation and updates by layering changes atop your core system image, rather than by directly modifying the system. Advantages of atomic distros include increased stability and the ability to easily roll back updates. See [*Traditional vs. Atomic Updates*](os/linux-overview.md#traditional-vs-atomic-updates) for more info.
|
||||
**Atomic distributions** (sometimes also referred to as **immutable distributions**) are operating systems which handle package installation and updates by layering changes atop your core system image, rather than by directly modifying the system. Advantages of atomic distros include increased stability and the ability to easily roll back updates. See [*Traditional vs. Atomic Updates*](../linux-overview.md#traditional-vs-atomic-updates) for more info.
|
||||
|
||||
### Fedora Atomic Desktops
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Fedora Atomic Desktops** are variants of Fedora which use the `rpm-ostree` package manager and have a strong focus on containerized workflows and Flatpak for desktop applications. All of these variants follow the same release schedule as Fedora Workstation, benefiting from the same fast updates and staying very close to upstream.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/emerging){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://whatcanidoforfedora.org){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/emerging" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
[Fedora Atomic Desktops](https://fedoramagazine.org/introducing-fedora-atomic-desktops) come in a variety of flavors depending on the desktop environment you prefer. As with the recommendation to avoid X11 in our [criteria](#criteria) for Linux distributions, we recommend avoiding flavors that support only the legacy X11 window system.
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -106,19 +93,12 @@ As an alternative to Flatpaks, there is the option of [Toolbx](https://docs.fedo
|
||||
|
||||
### NixOS
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
**NixOS** is an independent distribution based on the Nix package manager with a focus on reproducibility and reliability.
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
NixOS is an independent distribution based on the Nix package manager with a focus on reproducibility and reliability.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://nixos.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://nixos.org/learn.html){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://nixos.org/donate.html){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://nixos.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://nixos.org/learn.html" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
NixOS’s package manager keeps every version of every package in a different folder in the **Nix store**. Due to this you can have different versions of the same package installed on your system. After the package contents have been written to the folder, the folder is made read-only.
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -134,42 +114,27 @@ Nix is a source-based package manager; if there’s no pre-built available in th
|
||||
|
||||
### Whonix
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
**Whonix** is based on [Kicksecure](#kicksecure), a security-focused fork of Debian. It aims to provide privacy, security, and [anonymity](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#anonymity-vs-privacy) on the internet. Whonix is best used in conjunction with [Qubes OS](#qubes-os).
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Whonix** is based on [Kicksecure](#kicksecure), a security-focused fork of Debian. It aims to provide privacy, security, and [:material-incognito: Anonymity](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#anonymity-vs-privacy){ .pg-purple } on the internet. Whonix is best used in conjunction with [Qubes OS](#qubes-os).
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://whonix.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:simple-torbrowser:](http://dds6qkxpwdeubwucdiaord2xgbbeyds25rbsgr73tbfpqpt4a6vjwsyd.onion){ .card-link title="Onion Service" }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://whonix.org/wiki/Documentation){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://whonix.org/wiki/Donate){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://whonix.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://whonix.org/wiki/Documentation" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
Whonix is meant to run as two virtual machines: a “Workstation” and a Tor “Gateway.” All communications from the Workstation must go through the Tor gateway. This means that even if the Workstation is compromised by malware of some kind, the true IP address remains hidden.
|
||||
|
||||
Some of its features include Tor Stream Isolation, [keystroke anonymization](https://whonix.org/wiki/Keystroke_Deanonymization#Kloak), [encrypted swap](https://github.com/Whonix/swap-file-creator), and a hardened memory allocator. Future versions of Whonix will likely include [full system AppArmor policies](https://github.com/roddhjav/apparmor.d) and a [sandboxed app launcher](https://whonix.org/wiki/Sandbox-app-launcher) to fully confine all processes on the system.
|
||||
|
||||
Whonix is best used [in conjunction with Qubes](https://whonix.org/wiki/Qubes/Why_use_Qubes_over_other_Virtualizers). We have a [recommended guide](os/qubes-overview.md#connecting-to-tor-via-a-vpn) on configuring Whonix in conjunction with a VPN ProxyVM in Qubes to hide your Tor activities from your ISP.
|
||||
Whonix is best used [in conjunction with Qubes](https://whonix.org/wiki/Qubes/Why_use_Qubes_over_other_Virtualizers). We have a [recommended guide](../qubes-overview.md#connecting-to-tor-via-a-vpn) on configuring Whonix in conjunction with a VPN ProxyVM in Qubes to hide your Tor activities from your ISP.
|
||||
|
||||
### Tails
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
**Tails** is a live operating system based on Debian that routes all communications through Tor, which can boot on on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card installation. It uses [Tor](../../software/tor/_index.md) to preserve privacy and [anonymity](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#anonymity-vs-privacy) while circumventing censorship, and it leaves no trace of itself on the computer it is used on after it is powered off.
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Tails** is a live operating system based on Debian that routes all communications through Tor, which can boot on on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card installation. It uses [Tor](tor.md) to preserve privacy and [:material-incognito: Anonymity](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#anonymity-vs-privacy){ .pg-purple } while circumventing censorship, and it leaves no trace of itself on the computer it is used on after it is powered off.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://tails.net){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://tails.net/doc/index.en.html){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://tails.net/donate){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://tails.net" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://tails.net/doc/index.en.html" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition warning" markdown>
|
||||
<p class="admonition-title">Warning</p>
|
||||
@@ -180,7 +145,7 @@ Tails [doesn't erase](https://gitlab.tails.boum.org/tails/tails/-/issues/5356) t
|
||||
|
||||
Tails is great for counter forensics due to amnesia (meaning nothing is written to the disk); however, it is not a hardened distribution like Whonix. It lacks many anonymity and security features that Whonix has and gets updated much less often (only once every six weeks). A Tails system that is compromised by malware may potentially bypass the transparent proxy, allowing for the user to be deanonymized.
|
||||
|
||||
Tails includes [uBlock Origin](browser-extensions.md#ublock-origin) in Tor Browser by default, which may potentially make it easier for adversaries to fingerprint Tails users. [Whonix](desktop.md#whonix) virtual machines may be more leak-proof, however they are not amnesic, meaning data may be recovered from your storage device.
|
||||
Tails includes [uBlock Origin](../../software/browser-extensions/_index.md#ublock-origin) in Tor Browser by default, which may potentially make it easier for adversaries to fingerprint Tails users. [Whonix](#whonix) virtual machines may be more leak-proof, however they are not amnesic, meaning data may be recovered from your storage device.
|
||||
|
||||
By design, Tails is meant to completely reset itself after each reboot. Encrypted [persistent storage](https://tails.net/doc/persistent_storage/index.en.html) can be configured to store some data between reboots.
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -192,69 +157,44 @@ By design, Tails is meant to completely reset itself after each reboot. Encrypte
|
||||
|
||||
### Qubes OS
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Qubes OS** is an open-source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing through secure virtual machines (or "qubes"). Qubes is based on Xen, the X Window System, and Linux. It can run most Linux applications and use most of the Linux drivers.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://qubes-os.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:simple-torbrowser:](http://qubesosfasa4zl44o4tws22di6kepyzfeqv3tg4e3ztknltfxqrymdad.onion){ .card-link title="Onion Service" }
|
||||
[:octicons-eye-16:](https://qubes-os.org/privacy){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://qubes-os.org/doc){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/QubesOS){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://qubes-os.org/donate){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://qubes-os.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://qubes-os.org/privacy" title="Privacy Policy" icon="eye" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
Qubes OS secures the computer by isolating subsystems (e.g., networking, USB, etc.) and applications in separate *qubes*. Should one part of the system be compromised via an exploit in a [targeted attack](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#attacks-against-specific-individuals), the extra isolation is likely to protect the rest of the *qubes* and the core system.
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
||||
Qubes OS secures the computer by isolating subsystems (e.g., networking, USB, etc.) and applications in separate *qubes*. Should one part of the system be compromised via an exploit in a [:material-target-account: Targeted Attack](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#attacks-against-specific-individuals){ .pg-red }, the extra isolation is likely to protect the rest of the *qubes* and the core system.
|
||||
|
||||
For further information about how Qubes works, read our full [Qubes OS overview](os/qubes-overview.md) page.
|
||||
For further information about how Qubes works, read our full [Qubes OS overview](../qubes-overview.md) page.
|
||||
|
||||
### Secureblue
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**Secureblue** is a security-focused operating system based on [Fedora Atomic Desktops](#fedora-atomic-desktops). It includes a number of [security features](https://secureblue.dev/features) intended to proactively defend against the exploitation of both known and unknown vulnerabilities, and ships with [Trivalent](https://github.com/secureblue/Trivalent), their hardened, Chromium-based web browser.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://secureblue.dev){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://secureblue.dev/install){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/secureblue/secureblue){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://secureblue.dev/donate){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://secureblue.dev" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://secureblue.dev/install" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
||||
**Trivalent** is Secureblue's hardened Chromium for desktop Linux inspired by [GrapheneOS](android/distributions.md#grapheneos)'s Vanadium browser.
|
||||
**Trivalent** is Secureblue's hardened Chromium for desktop Linux inspired by [GrapheneOS](../android/distributions.md#grapheneos)'s Vanadium browser.
|
||||
|
||||
Secureblue also provides GrapheneOS's [hardened memory allocator](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/hardened_malloc) and enables it globally (including for Flatpaks).
|
||||
|
||||
### Kicksecure
|
||||
|
||||
While we [recommend against](os/linux-overview.md#release-cycle) "perpetually outdated" distributions like Debian for desktop use in most cases, Kicksecure is a Debian-based operating system which has been hardened to be much more than a typical Linux install.
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
While we [recommend against](../linux-overview.md#release-cycle) "perpetually outdated" distributions like Debian for desktop use in most cases, Kicksecure is a Debian-based operating system which has been hardened to be much more than a typical Linux install.
|
||||
|
||||
**Kicksecure**—in oversimplified terms—is a set of scripts, configurations, and packages that substantially reduce the attack surface of Debian. It covers a lot of privacy and hardening recommendations by default. It also serves as the base OS for [Whonix](#whonix).
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://kicksecure.com){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-eye-16:](https://kicksecure.com/wiki/Privacy_Policy){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://kicksecure.com/wiki/Documentation){ .card-link title="Documentation" }
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/Kicksecure){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://kicksecure.com/wiki/Donate){ .card-link title="Contribute" }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://kicksecure.com" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://kicksecure.com/wiki/Privacy_Policy" title="Privacy Policy" icon="eye" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
## Criteria
|
||||
|
||||
Choosing a Linux distro that is right for you will come down to a huge variety of personal preferences, and this page is **not** meant to be an exhaustive list of every viable distribution. Our Linux overview page has some advice on [choosing a distro](os/linux-overview.md#choosing-your-distribution) in more detail. The distros on *this* page do all generally follow the guidelines we covered there, and all meet these standards:
|
||||
Choosing a Linux distro that is right for you will come down to a huge variety of personal preferences, and this page is **not** meant to be an exhaustive list of every viable distribution. Our Linux overview page has some advice on [choosing a distro](../linux-overview.md#choosing-your-distribution) in more detail. The distros on *this* page do all generally follow the guidelines we covered there, and all meet these standards:
|
||||
|
||||
- Free and open source.
|
||||
- Receives regular software and kernel updates.
|
||||
@@ -262,11 +202,11 @@ Choosing a Linux distro that is right for you will come down to a huge variety o
|
||||
- The notable exception here is Qubes, but the [isolation issues](https://blog.invisiblethings.org/2011/04/23/linux-security-circus-on-gui-isolation) which X11 typically has are avoided by virtualization. This isolation only applies to apps *running in different qubes* (virtual machines); apps running in the *same* qube are not protected from each other.
|
||||
- Supports full-disk encryption during installation.
|
||||
- Doesn't freeze regular releases for more than 1 year.
|
||||
- We [recommend against](os/linux-overview.md#release-cycle) "Long Term Support" or "stable" distro releases for desktop usage.
|
||||
- We [recommend against](../linux-overview.md#release-cycle) "Long Term Support" or "stable" distro releases for desktop usage.
|
||||
- Supports a wide variety of hardware.
|
||||
- Preference towards larger projects.
|
||||
- Maintaining an operating system is a major challenge, and smaller projects have a tendency to make more avoidable mistakes, or delay critical updates (or worse, disappear entirely). We lean towards projects which will likely be around 10 years from now (whether that's due to corporate backing or very significant community support), and away from projects which are hand-built or have a small number of maintainers.
|
||||
|
||||
In addition, [our standard criteria](about/criteria.md) for recommended projects still applies. **Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.**
|
||||
In addition, [our standard criteria](../../../about/criteria.md) for recommended projects still applies. **Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.**
|
||||
|
||||
[^1]: Reproducibility entails the ability to verify that packages and binaries made available to the end user match the source code, which can be useful against potential [:material-package-variant-closed-remove: Supply Chain Attacks](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats.md#attacks-against-certain-organizations){ .pg-viridian }.
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -9,48 +9,38 @@ description: Alternative operating systems for securing your router or Wi-Fi acc
|
||||
|
||||
Below are a few alternative operating systems that can be used on routers, Wi-Fi access points, etc.
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="pg-card-logos">
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#openwrt" title="OpenWrt" image="./openwrt.svg" subtitle="OpenWrt is a Linux-based operating system; it’s primarily used on embedded devices to route network traffic. It includes util-linux, uClibc, and BusyBox. All the components have been optimized for home routers." >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="#opnsense" title="OPNsense" image="./opnsense.svg" subtitle="OPNsense is an open-source, FreeBSD-based firewall and routing platform which incorporates many advanced features such as traffic shaping, load balancing, and VPN capabilities, with many more features available in the form of plugins." >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
||||
## OpenWrt
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**OpenWrt** is a Linux-based operating system; it's primarily used on embedded devices to route network traffic. It includes util-linux, uClibc, and BusyBox. All the components have been optimized for home routers.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://openwrt.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://openwrt.org/docs/start){ .card-link title=Documentation}
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://openwrt.org/donate){ .card-link title=Contribute }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://openwrt.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://openwrt.org/docs/start" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
You can consult OpenWrt's [table of hardware](https://openwrt.org/toh/start) to check if your device is supported.
|
||||
|
||||
## OPNsense
|
||||
|
||||
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>
|
||||
|
||||
{ align=right }
|
||||
|
||||
**OPNsense** is an open-source, FreeBSD-based firewall and routing platform which incorporates many advanced features such as traffic shaping, load balancing, and VPN capabilities, with many more features available in the form of plugins. OPNsense is commonly deployed as a perimeter firewall, router, wireless access point, DHCP server, DNS server, and VPN endpoint.
|
||||
|
||||
[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://opnsense.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
|
||||
[:octicons-info-16:](https://docs.opnsense.org/index.html){ .card-link title=Documentation}
|
||||
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/opnsense){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
|
||||
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://opnsense.org/donate){ .card-link title=Contribute }
|
||||
|
||||
</details>
|
||||
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
{{< cards >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://opnsense.org" title="Homepage" icon="home" >}}
|
||||
{{< card link="https://docs.opnsense.org/index.html" title="Documentation" icon="document-text" >}}
|
||||
{{< /cards >}}
|
||||
|
||||
OPNsense was originally developed as a fork of [pfSense](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PfSense), and both projects are noted for being free and reliable firewall distributions which offer features often only found in expensive commercial firewalls. Launched in 2015, the developers of OPNsense [cited](https://docs.opnsense.org/history/thefork.html) a number of security and code-quality issues with pfSense which they felt necessitated a fork of the project, as well as concerns about Netgate's majority acquisition of pfSense and the future direction of the pfSense project.
|
||||
|
||||
## Criteria
|
||||
|
||||
**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
|
||||
**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../../../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
|
||||
|
||||
- Must be open source.
|
||||
- Must receive regular updates.
|
||||
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user