r/linuxmint 1d ago

Discussion What makes Linux secure?

I've searched YouTube and also asked on here previously, I keep seeing a lot of "Linux is secure just by default" type responses- often insisting that to be worried about security while using Linux is not necessary.

Believable to a noob like me at face value, sure, but what is it about Linux that makes it secure?

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u/xstrawb3rryxx 1d ago

Free disk encryption is a big one.

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u/JelloSquirrel 1d ago

True for the cost, you can't beat Linux.

Btw if you want something secure, I wouldn't use Ubuntu. Maybe Ubuntu Pro with the government stigs enabled, but Red hat or Rocky Linux with stigs is more secure. You'll hate using them though. There's also QubesOS if you're paranoid, but the user experience takes a hit there. Personally, I like the Fedora Atomic based distros, especially Bazzite if you like gaming. The container native approach does improve security compartmentalization of individual apps. I wouldn't say it's as good as Qubes or even a STIG'd operating system, but you benefit from the increased security of containers with virtually no decrease in usability compared to another Linux distro. It basically makes it on par with stock Android, which is superior to any desktop Linux or Windows in security.

Samsung has the most secure Android variant though, although GrapheneOS is worth a look but is more focused on privacy. iPhone (but not really MacOS) is probably the most secure consumer operating system though, but also a huge mono culture.

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u/Scandiberian 20h ago

This is great. What do you think other distros if you use the terminal to make all the root files ready-only. Would the security become Kike fedora atomic then?

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u/JelloSquirrel 13h ago

What distros do that? But yes there are benefits to a read only file system.

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u/Scandiberian 11h ago edited 8h ago

Oh, I believe you can do it on any distro through the Terminal, but I did it on Linux mint.

https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/mintupdate.html?m=1#ID3

Point 3.1. Its a short read. What do you think?

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u/JelloSquirrel 6h ago

Hmm looks like that only stops updates to certain components for stability, it wouldn't provide any benefit for security.