So you are a Linux user looking for the most secure Linux Distro to secure and maintain strong privacy for your operating system? Here are the Top 15 Most Secure Linux Distros for Privacy and Security Concerns for Linux Users.
Before we get started, let’s talk about why Linux Distro is too important to avoid. Okay, you may already know that the OS is the core software that allows you to communicate with the hardware and software of your computer. It manages all the hardware and makes contact with the processor and memory.
If you are using your PC without being secured enough, then it will be easy for the hackers to access your operating system, and that can allow them to exploit the operating system, to see the files and even the location from where you have been on the internet.
In this situation, Linux distros provide a lot of choices for selecting the best and most secure Linux distros for your system.
Most Secure Linux Distros
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 Most Secure Linux Distros list, which is ’Specially Focused on Linux security.’ That means this article focuses especially on Sharp Security, which a Linux user is more concerned 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 that focuses on desktop security. This OS will secure you by isolating and virtualizing various VM separately.
Qubes isolates your personal files from the malware without affecting them. It’s cool. Note that this OS is best for advanced users, so if you are new, it will be a bit tough for you to manage this system.
2. Tails
Tails is one of the best and most Secure Linux Distros out there after Parrot Security OS. It was first released in 2009. This Operating System was developed especially for personal computers. If you are looking for an OS that will keep you safe while browsing the internet, then Tails will take 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 connections go through the Tor, it allows you to use the internet anonymously, and whatever you do, it never leaves any trace behind.
Tails OS doesn’t use any hard disk space; instead, it only uses the required space in your RAM. 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 than a DVD. However, there are some issues with this OS. Recently, most of the users have claimed that Tails requires 2 USB sticks while installing, which is boring.
3. Parrot Security OS
FrozenBox developed Parrot Security OS, which was released in 2013. This software is a game-changer when it comes to the security and privacy concerns of a Computer’s Operating System. Parrot Security OS is specially designed to test an authorized simulated attack on your computer system, which helps assess your system’s vulnerabilities, whether they are strong enough or not.
It comes with a full portable laboratory that protects your system from any unwanted disease while you work on the Internet, browse anything, play 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 was developed especially to focus on Pen Testing and Forensic Experts. Kali comes with a package of tools such as as-Aircrack-ng, Ettercap, Foremost, Wireshark, Kismet, Maltigo, and many others, which help 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 named Armitage, which allows you to launch exploits, get exploits recommendations, and advanced features of the Metasploit Framework’s meterpreter. Kali Linux is considered one of the top-ranked, most secure Linux distros out there for developers.
Like Tails, this OS can be booted as a live DVD or USB stick, and it is easier to use than the other OSs available. Kali Linux can be used on 32 or 62 operating systems. This OS requires a minimum of 512MB RAM and 10GB hard disk space to be installed.
5. Whonix
If you want to private your IP address, Whonix is the perfect solution. It is a Debian-based operating system focused specifically on anonymity, privacy, and security. Whonix provides security by isolation. It explicitly uses the principle of isolation to enable security, privacy, and anonymity.
This operating system was developed using two major programs: a workstation and a Gateway. The gateway acts as a middleman, forcing all connections to go through the Tor network. Thus, there is no opportunity for the IP address to be leaked, which is how the Whonix OS keeps you secured.
6. Discreete Linux (Discontinued)
Maybe you are trying to keep your data safe and yet 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 connect to 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 you would love to have. Many users are saying that this is the most secure Linux distro they have ever had. Personally, I have never tested it, 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 route country whenever you surf the internet. This operating system contains many other useful applications, such as Pidgin Internet messenger, Transmission, VirtualBox, Geany, FileZilla, and many more. Finally, I must say that this Operating System comes with everything that a user needs to be secure.
8. BlackArch Linux
BlackArck Linux is a new Linux security distro designed especially for Pen Testing and Security research. It offers a vast number of tools, twice or even thrice as many as Kali Linux’s.
This is straight Out Of The Box. They can be installed separately, or if you want, you can install them in a group as well. This operating system is straightforward to use. This OS is lightweight enough to run on any hardware.
9. Heads OS
Heads is a GNU/Linux-based free security distro. This OS is significantly smaller than other OSes and pretty easy to manage. Heads use only free software, which means this OS gives more value to users’ freedom and community.
Like the other OS above, Heads also uses Tor so that you can be anonymous while surfing online. All of your traffic is forced 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 (Discontinued)
Like Tails, the Subgraph Operating system is a Debian-based operating system that prevents the surveillance and interference of sophisticated adversaries on the Internet. This OS is designed for everyone, and its GNOME-based desktop environment is incredibly user-friendly.
While talking about security & privacy, this security distro prevents the attack through intelligent access control and memory corruption-based exploit prevention with a package of patchset (grsecurity patchset and Pax). The grsecurity patchset provides a package of security, such as addressing space protection, enhanced auditing, and process control.
11. IprediaOS
This security distro is good for browsing the web, emailing, chatting, 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 faster than Tor, even if you are going to use it on your older computer, and 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, PureOS is the one. PureOS is free software that delivers a security package, including the “Duck Duck Go” search engine.
It will protect your privacy by avoiding personal search results. It’s free software, so you can download it without purchasing anything. You can ask for its source code and are allowed to modify it as well.
13. Openwall GNU/*/Linux
Openwall is a security-enhanced Linux distro-based operating system that 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 never think. The size of its base system is around 5 MB, which is smaller than the other systems available. This is why this Linux distro is so popular.
Its other component, BusyBox, includes a lot of tools, and very few of them are bunzip2,bzip2, less, lzma, unlzma, vi, and wget. Those tools are in an Alpine base image that is not in the Debian base image. Its application manager APK is way faster than others and 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 that is designed for clusters and servers.
This security distro is getting popular nowadays because it’s easy to deploy, manage, and run containers. Earlier, CoreOS supported only the Dockers platform, but recently, it supports rkt (Rocket) as an alternative to Docker. This software updates automatically when they need to be updated, which improves security.
Finally, Insights!
Here, I have reviewed the 15 Most Secure Linux Distros available, some of which I have tested personally. I have ranked the rest by exploring their best features on their websites, researching the internet, and gathering reviews.
I hope you will find this article helpful in choosing the best one for yourself. If so, please share it on your social media with your friends and family who are also trying to have the best one for themselves. Also, don’t forget to leave your valuable suggestions in the comment box.
