Best linux distro for minimalism, privacy, security, anonymity, AND usability (for a mostly advance user)

Privacy Questions
1

I’d like to believe I’m an advanced Linux user and I have a lot of knowledge in using it fro a while now. I’ve used about pretty much every big Linux distro you can imagine. Absolutely none of them I have not used. I’ve used Arch, I’ve used Debian, OpenSUSE, almost all of them. I have even tried gentoo Linux, one of the hardest Linux to install. So I have a good amount of knowledge of how to use Linux in general. But the real question is what Linux distro is deemed most private, secure, anonymous, and minimal while still having general usability?

For example, Gentoo Linux is very hard to install for anyone who just wants to have some fun with Linux. However, the thing about it is, is it worth all the security it comes with? There is also Arch Linux, which has some very good security standards and has an easier way of installing, but is it less secure than Gentoo? And if so, to what extent? Or is it more worth it to use Alpine Linux? Which as small and as tiny as Alpine is, is it also worth giving up certain features to use Alpine?

Both of these Linux distros are undeniably secure, open source, and private. But then you have to take into consideration, are they more secure and private and to the point of usability? It is undeniable that these Linux distros are a bit harder to install and don’t have as much usability. So would I be more likely to use something like Linux Mint, Debian, or Fedora Desktop? Because these Linux distros are not the same.

Then there’s more anonymous Linux distros, like Tails or Whonix. But Tails is meant to be ran off a USB drive, while Whonix is meant to be a virtual machine. So it’s not exactly easy to make it a host operating system, bringing down its usability.

So basically what I’m asking is, what Linux distro is the most secure, private, and anonymous, while still giving some general credibility to usability? For example, Gentoo is probably more secure and private than Arts, but is very hard to install. And then Linux Mint is probably the easiest Linux distro to install, but then you have to deal with the issue of it may not be as secure and private as Gentoo.

So three things I would like to see is what Linus Distro provides the most privacy, security, and anonymity, while also having minimalism and usability, and also have support for VMs and Penguin eggs (GitHub - pieroproietti/penguins-eggs: On the road of Remastersys, Refracta, Systemback and father Knoppix!) at the same time.

If you have any ideas of what may be the best I can use in this scenario, let me know and I appreciate your help.

P.S. I also want to point out that I am not a linux master. I am definitely a somewhat advanced user, however.

2

Have you tried Qubes?

Fedora Silverblue is a great all rounder if you ask me. Or other immutable distros. NixOS and Nobara are also great options I hear.

It also depends on how much of each you want all the time: privacy, security, minimalism, anonymity, and usability. You can’t have them all at the same time. There are some natural and obvious limitations. You’ll have to make one yourself if you have such a specific requirement.

Hence, my recommendation to sticking with immutable distros that are usable. For anonymity, use Tor browser or Tails.

3

Hi base note. Thanks for the replay. I updated the post. I made a mistake and hit Shift+Enter, and not Shift+/ for “?”. It has to be able to used in a VM and eggs (link to repo in the post) is not required but VERY desirable. That means no qubes (as much as it is amazing). Any idea?

4

Oh just saw the rest of you post. Yes you can’t get all. I know. But what is the most of all while being usable for someone like me.

5

Like I said, you can’t have all the things you want all the time. I don’t think any distro provides that.

You can get privacy, security, usability (which if you ask me also goes with minimalism as it is) at the same time. But if you want the entire OS and your internet activity to be anonymous - Qubes, Whonix, and Tails are it as far as I know.

So, you’ll have to decide what’s most important most of the time and use that.

You have my suggestions already. I would stick with Fedora Silverblue or other immutable distros you may like the feel of. But I think GNOME on Fedora atomic is pretty minimal and very usable. Its privacy and security are also top notch for everyday use.

6

OK thanks. I’ll look into it. What about eggs? What is supported and still nice? I’m asking because I want to harden it and then use the iso.

7

I don’t know much about that.

But any hardening ever with any software will almost always come at cost of convenience and usability. I hope you know that. But if are able to find a way still, then by all means.

But I don’t know about penguins-eggs you linked. That’s far beyond what I know regarding Linux.

Fedora Silverblue is great as it is. Just give it a try. I don’t know why you want to harden it more.

8

Hmmmmm. Your right. I do however want the apps I want re installed. But if it helps, here are some examples on what it supports(one command, one iso off the current system. It’s really nice):

9

With Silverblue on Fedora 41 it should hypothetically be ok for penguin eggs since 41 is shown as supported. I have been tinkering with Silverblue on a VM for a couple of weeks now and have found it to be an easy enough distro to use and have become fond of the atomic or “immutable” nature.

10

Thanks Eebzter. I thought fedora on eggs was not supporting the silver blue version. I’ll try it out. :slight_smile:

11

Secureblue, hardened version of Silverblue, is definitely great in terms of security and privacy. It is also highly customizable, you can enable appimages, electron if needed.

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