The number of Linux users is increasing immensely day by day. Their specialty is that they are less common than the other operating systems out there. And still, they are working to be more technical in the upcoming days.
Here is the list of the Most Secure Linux Distros which are ’Specially Focused on Linux security.’ That means this article is done especially by focusing on Sharp Security that a Linux user is more concern about.
1. Qubes OS
If you are looking for the most secure Linux distro for your desktop here, Qubes comes up at the top. Why am I saying that? Well, Qubes is a Fedora-based operating system which focused on desktop security. This OS will secure you by isolating and virtualizing various VM separately.
Qubes isolate your personal files from the malware without being affected. It’s cool. Note that this OS is best for advanced users. So if you are new, then it will be a bit tough for you to manage this system.
2. Tails
Tails is one of the best most Secure Linux Distros out there after Parrot Security OS. Tails first released in 2009. This Operating System developed especially targeting on personal computers. If you are looking for an OS which will keep you safe while browsing the internet, then Tails will take the first place.
It’s a live CD and a pre-installed Operating System with the Tor browser bundle using the onion circuit. Since all the outgoing connection goes through the Tor so it allows you to use the internet anonymously and whatever you do it never leaves any trace behind.
Tails OS doesn’t use any space of hard disk; instead, it only uses the required space in your RAM, but it will be erased automatically when you shut down your system. It can be used as a live DVD or live USB. It will be more convenient to boot from a USB stick rather a DVD. However, there are some issues with this OS. Recently most of the users are claiming that Tails requires 2 USB stick while installing which is boring.
3. Parrot Security OS
FrozenBox develops parrot Security OS and released in 2013. This software is a game-changer when it comes about security & privacy concern of a Computer’s Operating System. Parrot Security OS is specially designed to test an authorized simulated attack on your computer system, which helps to assess the vulnerabilities of your system, whether it is strong enough or not.
It comes with a full portable laboratory which protects your system from any unwanted disease while working on the internet, browsing anything and playing a game, etc. Again if you are a forensic expert, then this operating system is the best, and nothing can go beyond this.
4. Kali Linux
Kali Linux is a pre-installed Debian derived Linux distro, which is developed especially focusing on Pen Testing and Forensic Experts. Kali comes along with a package of tools such as-Aircrack-ng, Ettercap, Foremost, Wireshark, Kismet, Maltigo and many others which helps you in many ways like exploiting a victim network or application, performing network discovery, or surveying a target IP address.
Not only that Kali includes a graphical cyber attacking tool name Armitage which allows you to lunch and exploits, get exploits recommendation and advanced features of the Metasploit Framework’s meterpreter. Kali Linux has considered one of top-ranked most secure Linux distros out there for developers.
Like Tails, this OS also can be booted as a live DVD or USB stick, and it is easy to use than the other OS available out there. Whether you run 32 or 62 operating systems, Kali Linux can be used on both. This OS requires minimum 512mb RAM & 10GB hard disk space to be installed.
5. Whonix
If you want to private your IP address, then Whonix is the perfect one you can have. Whonix is a Debian based operating system that focused specifically on anonymity privacy and security. Whonix provides security by isolation. It’s an operating system which uses explicitly the principle of isolation to enable security, privacy, and anonymity.
This operating system is developed by two major programs. One is a workstation, and the other one is Gateway. The gateway acts as a middleman here, and it forces all the connection to go through the Tor network. So there is no opportunity for the IP address to be leaked, and this is how the Whonix OS keeps you secured.
6. Discreete Linux
Maybe you are trying to keep your data safe and yet to find out any better security distro for your Linux Operating System. Let your scare fly away. Here you have Discreete Linux OS called one of the most secure Linux distros to protect your valuable data.
This OS doesn’t make any connection with the internet while working, which separates the Data & cryptographic keys to be protected from the non-trusted network. Another exciting thing is that this OS is a pure live system, so you don’t need to install it on your computer; instead, you can quickly run it with a USB stick.
7. Linux Kodachi
Do you love to stay fully anonymous while surfing the internet? Then Kodachi Linux is one of the best most secure Linux distros that you would love to have. Many users are saying that this is the most secure Linux distro that they have ever had. Personally, I have never tested, though. This Operating System comes with Tor, a VPN, and DNSCrypt and can be booted easily from a DVD or USB drive.
You can choose the exit routes country whenever you surf the internet. This operating contains many other useful application like Pidgin internet messenger, Transmission, VirtualBox, Geany, FileZilla, and many more. Finally, I must say, this Operating System comes with everything that a user needs to be secured.
8. BlackArch Linux
BlackArck Linux is a new Linux security distro which is designed especially focusing on Pen Testing and Security research. It comes up with a vast number of tools that is twice even thrice as more as Kali Linux has.
This is straight Out Of The Box. They can be installed separately or if you want you can install in a group as well. This operating system is straightforward to use. This OS is lightweight enough so you can run it in any hardware.
9. Heads OS
Heads is a GNU/Linux based free security distro. This OS is significantly smaller than the other OS out there and pretty easier to manage. Heads use only free software that means this OS gives more value on users freedom and community.
Like the other OS above, Heads also uses Tor so that you can be anonymized while surfing online. All of your traffics are enforced to go through Tor by default, but they give the option to make it stop if you want. Heads always give priority to their users.
10. Subgraph OS
Like Tails, Subgraph Operating system is also a Debian based operating system which prevents the surveillance and interference by sophisticated adversaries from the Internet. This OS is designed for everyone. Its GNOME-based desktop environment is incredibly user-friendly.
While talking about security & privacy, this security distro prevents the attack through intelligent access control; memory corruption-based exploit prevention with a package of patchset (grsecurity patchset and Pax). Grsecurity patchset provides a package of security, such as addressing space protection, enhanced auditing, and process control.
11. IprediaOS
This security distro is good to use to browse the web, emailing, chat, and sharing any files through the internet anonymously. All of the connections are routed to go through I2P software.
Unlike some other distro out there, IprediaOS supports TORRENTS. This Operating System is competitively fast then Tor even you are going to use it on your older computer this OS will work well on that as well.
12. PureOS
If you are looking for a user-friendly security distro that will allow you the freedom to modify it. Then PureOS is that one. PureOS is a free software which delivers a security package including “Duck Duck Go” search engine.
It will protect your privacy by avoiding personal search results as it’s free software so you can download it without purchasing anything. You can ask for its source code even you are allowed to modify it as well.
13. Openwall GNU/*/Linux
Openwall is a security-enhanced Linux distro based operating system which is specially designed for servers and Applications. Openwall provides security by reducing the flaws in its software components with the Openwall patch (Best known as a (non-exec stack patch). It’s a free intended server platform.
14. Alpine Linux
Alpine Linux is a mus libc, and BusyBox based most secure Linux distro. It is so lightweight that you can ever think. The size of its base system is around 5 MB which is smaller than the other systems available out there. And this is why this Linux distro is that much popular.
Its another component BusyBox includes a lot of tools, and very few of them are bunzip2,bzip2, less, lzma, unlzma, vi, wget. Those tools are in an Alpine base image that is not in Debian base image. It’s application manager APK is way faster than other and very easy to use.
15. Container Linux (Formerly CoreOS)
If you love to serve on various machines and update machines without any downtime, then Container Linux (Formerly CoreOS) will be your go-to Linux distro. Container Linux is a lightweight Linux Distro which is designed for clusters and server. This security distro is getting popular nowadays because it’s easy to deploy, manage, and run containers. In earlier CoreOS supported only Dockers platform but recently it supports rkt (Rocket) as an alternative of Docker. This software updates automatically when they need to be updated, which improves security.
The Last Words
Here I have reviewed the 15 Most Secure Linux Distros available out there, some of which I have tested personally and the rest I have ranked by exploring the best features from their website, researching on the internet, gathering reviews from the users.
So I hope you will find this article helpful in choosing the best one for yourself. If it does so, then please share it on your social media, with your friends and family who are also trying to have the best one for themselves. And also don’t forget to leave your valuable suggestion in the comment box.
Source: https://www.ubuntupit.com/15-most-secure-linux-distros-for-privacy-and-security-concern-users/
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