Ubuntu for the security conscious
Solitary Island
Ubuntu Privacy Remix is a solitary island among distributions. Isolated from the outside world, it is well protected against attacks, but in the long term, it's only suitable for Robinson Crusoe types in the private sector. Even if you can do without a hard drive thanks to the encrypted USB solution, the lack of Internet access makes normal communication with the outside world very difficult.
A solution is to use another USB stick with a Live system that has Internet access, or even a second computer. For the previous version of UPR, 10.04r3, a dual-boot DVD offers the Tails distribution for anonymous surfing with Tor, which is a partial solution.
The small group of people who manage sensitive data without the need for special software or the Internet is well served with UPR, however. Security researcher Bruce Schneier uses a similar solution [1]: "If I want to transfer a file, I encrypt the file on the secure computer and walk it over to my Internet computer, using a USB stick." Armed with two USB sticks, it does not matter which computer you work on. Infected documents can be viewed without any worries, because the malware never touches your disk.
Even for smaller companies, the use of UPR could be worthwhile if they need special software and the programs do not retrieve data from a CRM or groupware, as is often the case in a corporate environment. Customer records, including credit card information, would be collected on the Internet but could then be split: The sensitive data could be managed securely on a computer without Internet access, while the communication data resides on computers and servers with network access. Also, bills, cost accounting data, or strategic planning data could be managed on such a computer.
Ubuntu Privacy Remix presents a radical solution to the problem of computer security that requires a whole new orientation. Indeed, working without the Internet or a conventional hard drive would be completely foreign to most modern computer users. However, the reasons for operating in this kind of isolation are well known to security experts and well documented in recent headlines. If you are serious about security and you are ready for a new approach to the daily business of working with your computer, try the Ubuntu Privacy Remix.
Infos
- Bruce Schneier: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-how-to-remain-secure-surveillance
- Ubuntu Privacy Remix: https://www.privacy-cd.org
- TrueCrypt: http://www.truecrypt.org
- Mastering your own UPR: https://www.privacy-cd.org/en/tutorials
- Tails: https://tails.boum.org
- Downloading UPR: https://www.privacy-cd.org/en/using-upr/download
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Endless OS 6 has Arrived
After more than a year since the last update, the latest release of Endless OS is now available for general usage.
-
Fedora Asahi 40 Remix Available for Macs with Apple Silicon
If you've been anticipating KDE's Plasma 6 for your Apple Silicon-powered Mac, then you're in luck.
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.