Everything You Need to Know About Privacy OS
An operating system, or an OS, is more like our gateway into the digital world. For a device to run and perform its tasks, it needs an operating system that will manage all the functions for it.
An Operating System does everything from storing to retrieving, playing and displaying, and even letting you connect to the internet to access your bank account or post a picture on social media.
That being said, it is also essential to know that the very fact that an OS is a key to any interaction with a device or the internet has been why hackers and cybercriminals have often exploited existing security loopholes to fuel their sinister plans.
Once they access an OS, they can then use their access to accomplish cybercrimes like stealing confidential personal data and exploiting it for personal financial gain, among other motives.
Luckily, there are ways to secure your online presence against crimes, and the best one is to use a privacy OS. In this blog, we will talk about operating systems in general, what a privacy OS is, and what is the best OS for privacy and security, according to our team of security experts.
Let’s start by getting into more detail regarding what an OS is.
What is an OS?
As discussed before, an operating system is simply a program that, after being initially run and booted into a device, like a PC, will manage all other applications and programs within that device.
Different applications and programs that are then fed or installed into the device use this Operating system to run smoothly by making service requests through their APIs or application program interfaces.
Furthermore, users interact with operating systems installed on the devices they use through a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or GUI, a command-line interface, or a CLI.
Because of the growing privacy concerns, more and more users have started to switch away from their native system OS and switch to a more secure privacy OS or a reputed privacy Linux distro.
But what even does a privacy OS do, and what is a privacy Linux distro? Don’t worry; we have all the answers. Let’s get into them.
What is a private OS?
A privacy OS is built to keep your data and internet activities safe and secure. These operating systems are robust, which means they are hard to crack into, prevent malware infestations, and even enhance your program operations.
The key to ensuring that you are secure online is to use a reputed private OS. The problem is that there are hundreds of good secure OSs to choose from and opinions differ as to which one is the best.
If you’re looking to choose a privacy OS for yourself, you’re at the right place. In this blog, we will discuss some of our favorite privacy OS and list down their features and benefits so that you can pick which one is the best one for you.
The same goes for the most secure Linux OS—in this blog; we will be talking about the best options to pick which one suits you best.
Which OS is best for privacy and anonymity?
The following are some of the top privacy OS and Linux distros, in our opinion.
Qubes OS
Qubes OS is a super-secure, open-source privacy operating system for single-use devices, which means it also runs on Linux machines. The operating system utilizes Xen-based virtualization to break down computer programs into isolated virtual machines, called ‘qubes’.
You can think of the working procedure as grouping similar programs into units or cubes. Here are some of the advantages of using Qubes OS
- Qubes OS isolates installed software and makes it seem to be installed on separate devices or computing entities.
- To ensure smooth and secure functioning, the OS shares root files with the ‘Qubes’ or isolated virtual machines safely that doesn’t pose security risks.
- Qubes OS can run simultaneously on machines running other operating systems like Windows, Debian, or Fedora.
Fun fact, Qubes OS is also the best Linux distro for privacy because of the highly secure manner in which it accomplishes its functions.
Cons:
- Qubes OS is hard to test because it doesn’t perform as well on virtual machines.
TAILS OS
The TAILS OS is a portable private operating system that utilizes the Tor network to provide users a secure medium to carry out their digital activities. TAILS OS also comes with mobile compatibility, making it one of the most convenient operating systems to use, aside from the high-security benefits.
The TAILS OS was originally part of the Project Protect Whistleblowers, which aimed to protect whistleblowers’ identity and online safety. However, given its benefits, more and more users have started to turn to it.
Here are some key advantages of the TAILS OS.
- Users can run TAILS OS from temporary storage devices like USBs.
- Once you shut down a system running on TAILS OS, all your browsing activity is erased fully—never to be retrieved.
- Users can use TAILS’s secure programs for confidential communication and working on sensitive files.
- It comes with a robust and reliable encryption protocol.
- Doubles as a Linux privacy distro
Cons:
- A flash drive could easily be misplaced
- It must be used as a live boot OS
OpenBSD OS
It’s safe to say that OpenBSD is one of the safest operating systems today. It is open-source and comes with a full-disclosure policy. The OS is particularly popular among users in technical sectors and fields because of the wide range of features it provides.
Here are some of the top advantages of using OpenBSD OS.
- Comes with integrated cryptography
- By default, disables all non-essential applications to reduce security risks
- Runs on multi-platform 4.4BSD—a popular Unix-based platform for its security features.
Cons:
- Requires users to be proficient in coding hence this privacy OS is not for non-technical users.
Whonix OS
Whonix OS is yet another one of our favorites. This privacy OS focuses on anonymizing a user to protect them from security risks and threats. Like TAILS, Whonix OS also uses Tor technology to protect its user’s IP addresses and locations. Here are some of the top advantages of using Whonix OS.
- The OS is DNS, ISN, CPU, and ICP leakproof hence will keep user data as secure as possible.
- This privacy OS also keeps keystroke logging by malware at bay.
- Comes with a vanguard that protects users from third-party tracking and data traffic analysis.
Cons:
- Difficult to set up
- Requires higher maintenance
- Updating the operating system and applications is slower
Pure OS
Pure OS is based on the open-source Linux and Debian Operating Systems designed to ensure their users are secure while using their machines. We’ve listed down the key benefits of Pure OS in the following.
- This privacy OS provides multi-layer security for user data and internet traffic
- Comes with its own secure web browser that uses the Mozilla technology for private and secure browsing
- Regular updates on this privacy OS makes sure that users are as secure as they can be while using it.
Cons:
- Buggy videos and lack of multimedia support
- No customized help for getting around
Debian OS
Being a variant of Linux, Debian OS is one of the best privacy Linux distros available. Coming with more than 59000 precompiled software packages, a package manager (APT), and other utilities, Debian OS is efficient, secure, and gets the job done.
Here are a few of its top pros.
- Debian OS is compatible with multiple devices, including Microsoft and iPhone Xbox.
- This OS integrates Sun Java’s OpenJDK and other Java applications, enabling you to easily run Java-based programs on this OS.
- Easily Integrates X.org 7.3: X.org 7.3 and sets up users’ GUI along with other display settings.
Cons:
- Debian software is not always up to date
FAQs
What OS has the best privacy?
Qubes and TAILS are two of the best privacy OS in our opinion, along with all the others mentioned in this article.
best OS for cyber security
What is privacy OS?
A privacy OS is an operating system that considers the privacy and security of its users, making sure that they are secure when they use their devices.
There are different operating systems for other devices; two examples are android privacy OS and Linux privacy distros.
Which OS is most anonymous?
All the operating systems mentioned in this article are anonymous; however, if you’re looking for specific names, we recommend OpenBSD, Whonix, and TAILS, the most secure OS for PC.
What OS does Edward Snowden use?
TAILS OS is the operating system used and recommended by Edward Snowden.
Is Linux better for privacy?
Yes, Linux operating systems are superior in privacy than others.
Conclusion
Even though a privacy OS does boost your online security, we firmly believe that there need to be several layers of security to make sure that even if hackers and cybercriminals manage to clear one layer of security, there are still barriers in place to hold them back.
One tool that will act as a shield, offering double-layered security, is Ivacy VPN. Keeping hackers and other cybercriminals at bay by making users anonymous and encrypting their traffic, Ivacy VPN provides unparalleled protection.
