Island System: Ubuntu Privacy Remix Seals off Users
Ubuntu Privacy Remix (UPR), based on Ubuntu 8.04 (LTS), is a live, read-only CD that seals off your private data from the outside world. It does this using encryption and isolation methods.
Creators of the CD image Ubuntu Privacy Remix designed it as an island solution and took measures to adapt the Ubuntu distro accordingly. UPR incorporates TrueCrypt for hard disk encryption and modifies the system kernel so that it can't mount any local hard disk data. The modified kernel will also no longer support network functions (LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth, IR hardware and PPP). The distro would also be relieved of such unnecessary packets as Pidgin, PPPoE Conf, SMB Client and Update Manager.
This method of booting off a read-only CD provides a completely isolated and unmodifiable system that can't be compromised by spyware or access from the Web. You can also use Extended TC-Volumes to save configuration and user data for OpenOffice, Evolution and GnuPG settings.
The UPR ISO image is available from the Ubuntu project website. The project also provides step-by-step instructions on how to build your own UPR CD, such as when using a different distro.
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
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.
-
Fedora 42 Beta Has Arrived
The Fedora Project has announced the availability of the first beta release for version 42 of the open-source distribution.
-
Dash to Panel Maintainer Quits
Charles Gagnon has stepped away as maintainer of the popular Dash to Panel Gnome extension.
-
CIQ Releases Security-Hardened Version of Rocky Linux
If you're looking for an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is hardened for business use, there's a new version of Rocky Linux that's sure to make you and your company happy.
-
Gnome’s Dash to Panel Extension Gets a Massive Update
If you're a fan of the Gnome Dash to Panel extension, you'll be thrilled to hear that a new version has been released with a dock mode.
-
Blender App Makes it to the Big Screen
The animated film "Flow" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025 and Blender was a part of it.
-
Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
-
New Linux Tool for Security Issues
Seal Security is launching a new solution to automate fixing Linux vulnerabilities.