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|description=Host Operating System Selection, OS Threats to Privacy and Security
|image=Software-871026-640.jpg
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{{intro|
Host Operating System Selection, OS Threats to Privacy and Security
}}
{{mbox
| type = notice
| addToClass = ib-for-thumb
| image = [[File:Ambox_notice.png|40px|alt=Info]]
| text = {{project_name_long}} is available for many host {{os}} (outside any {{VM}}). See [[Download]]. Which host OS is the most suitable or most secure? This is being addressed on this wiki page.
}}
{{Anchor|Recommended Linux Distribution}}
= Recommended Host Operating Systems =
The following Linux based
To be more exact, Qubes OS is not primarily based on Linux. Qubes is based on Xen and Linux.
operating systems are specifically recommended.
'''Table:''' Recommended Host Operating Systems
{| class="wikitable"
! OS
! Host
! Version
! Knowledge
! Hardware Support
! Installation
! {{Kicksecure_wiki
|wikipage=Host_Live_Mode
|text=Host Live Mode
}}
|-
! [[File:Logo-debian-500x500.png|30px]]
| {{Archive_link
|url=https://www.debian.org/
|onion=http://5ekxbftvqg26oir5wle3p27ax3wksbxcecnm6oemju7bjra2pn26s3qd.onion/
|text=Debian
}}
| {{Stable project version based on Debian version short}}
({{Stable project version based on Debian codename}}
)
| Beginner
| Normal
| {{Kicksecure_wiki
|wikipage=Debian_Tips
|text=Debian Tips
}}
| {{No}}, not installed by default.
|-
! [[File:Kicksecure-icon-logo.png|30px]]
| {{Kicksecure_link
|
|{{Kicksecure}}
}}
| {{VersionShort}}
| Easy
| Normal
| {{Kicksecure_wiki
|wikipage=Debian
|text={{Kicksecure}} on top of Debian
}}
| {{Yes}}, installed by default.
|-
! [[File:qubes-logo-blue.png|30px]]
| {{Archive_link
|url=https://www.qubes-os.org
|onion=http://qubesosfasa4zl44o4tws22di6kepyzfeqv3tg4e3ztknltfxqrymdad.onion
|text=Qubes OS
}}
| See [[About#Qubes_Hosts|Qubes Hosts]].
| Advanced
| {{Archive_link
|url=https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/system-requirements/
|onion=http://qubesosfasa4zl44o4tws22di6kepyzfeqv3tg4e3ztknltfxqrymdad.onion/doc/system-requirements/
|text=Limited
}}
| {{Archive_link
|url=https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/installation-guide/
|onion=http://qubesosfasa4zl44o4tws22di6kepyzfeqv3tg4e3ztknltfxqrymdad.onion/doc/installation-guide/
|text=Qubes OS Installation Guide
}}
| {{No}}, unavailable.
|-
|}
These are recommended since these are used by the developers of {{project_name_short}}. The developer's familiarity with these operating systems makes it easier to provide maintenance and support.
Users that have never used any Linux based operating system ever before, that are currently using Windows or macOS as their computer operating system, might find it difficult at first to migrate to a Linux based operating system. ({{Archive_link
|url=https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Linux_User_Experience_versus_Commercial_Operating_Systems
|onion=http://w5j6stm77zs6652pgsij4awcjeel3eco7kvipheu6mtr623eyyehj4yd.onion/wiki/Linux_User_Experience_versus_Commercial_Operating_Systems
|text=Linux User Experience versus Commercial Operating Systems
}})
That is why {{project_name_short}} and {{Kicksecure}} are available on other operating systems such as Windows and macOS through use of virtualization. A familiar environment without the necessity of complex host operating system changes gives users a chance to experiment with their first Linux based operating system. This opportunity to learn more might become one day a user who mainly uses Linux as their host operating system.
As long as no downloadable {{Kicksecure}} ISO is available, Linux beginners might find Debian easier to use than {{Kicksecure}}.
Existing Debian, Ubuntu or other Debian derivatives users with essential knowledge about its usage however might find {{Kicksecure}} easy to use.
= Other Operating Systems =
{{mbox
| type = notice
| image = [[File:Ambox_notice.png|40px|alt=Info]]
| text = Linux, Xen or BSD are the only serious options for a host operating system that respects privacy. Interested readers should review the rest of this page if they are interested to find out why.
}}
__TOC__
= Linux Hosts =
A [https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software Free Software] OS that respects user freedom is the only practical choice when it comes to privacy and security.
Use Linux on the host and prefer in-repository software that is automatically gpg-signed and installed from the distributor's repositories by the package manager. This is far safer than downloading programs from the Internet like Windows adherents are required to do.
{{mbox
| type = notice
| image = [[File:Ambox_notice.png|40px|alt=Info]]
| text = If it is infeasible to install [[Qubes]] as a high-security solution, then {{Archive_link
|url=https://www.debian.org/
|onion=http://5ekxbftvqg26oir5wle3p27ax3wksbxcecnm6oemju7bjra2pn26s3qd.onion/
|text=Debian Linux
}} version {{Stable project version based on Debian version short}}
(codename: {{Stable project version based on Debian codename}}
) is recommended since it provides a reasonable balance of usability, security and user freedom.
}}
Interested readers can find a complete list of reasons to use Debian {{Archive_link
|url=https://www.debian.org/intro/why_debian
|onion=http://5ekxbftvqg26oir5wle3p27ax3wksbxcecnm6oemju7bjra2pn26s3qd.onion/intro/why_debian
|text=here}}. For download, verification and installation instructions, see {{Archive_link
|url=https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Debian_Tips
|onion=http://w5j6stm77zs6652pgsij4awcjeel3eco7kvipheu6mtr623eyyehj4yd.onion/wiki/Debian_Tips
|text=Debian Tips
}}.
In the past, virtually any Linux distribution could be recommended in order to protect privacy, however Ubuntu's history of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_(user_interface)#Dash data-mining] makes it an unsuitable choice.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170110080220/https://fixubuntu.com/
Ubuntu's February 2016 Privacy Policy allowed search terms entered into the dash to be sent to Ubuntu and selected third parties to "complement" search results, along with the IP address. Fortunately this text has now been removed in the [https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/dataprivacy latest iteration of the document].