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Privacy and security have become increasing concerns for internet users, not least with increased government monitoring and corporate collection of user data, and a long string of well-publicized hack attacked in which this user data has been stolen and mis-used.

While Windows and macOS machines have some protections in place, and there are additional options such as using a VPN or Tor browser, a number of Linux distros are now available that put privacy and security at their core.

• This is our best antivirus buying guide

Linux Mint Security. The options for Linux Mint include the ability to always show or select kernel updates and security updates. Ubuntu on the other hand, offers the ability to install updates for security, recommended and unsupported. The tab after options in the update preferences is called levels.

For some of these Linux distros it's a case of building in privacy protection by default using a variety of tools. For others, it's a matter of including security software as standard for those who need to do penetration testing.

Each of these distros has a different focus on privacy and/or security according to user interests and needs. Here we'll list the best 10 for you to consider.

1. Qubes OS

An extremely secure OS but for advanced users only

While definitely not for novice users, Qubes is one of the top privacy-conscious distros. The graphical installer must be used to install the OS to your hard drive, which will be encrypted.

Qubes OS uses the Xen Hypervisor to run a number of virtual machines, compartmentalising your life into ‘personal’, ‘work’, ‘internet’ and so on for the sake of security. This means if you accidentally download malware on your work machine for instance, your personal files won’t be compromised.

The main desktop uses colour-coded windows to show different virtual machines, making it easy for you to tell them apart.

2. Tails

Tails (which stands for ‘The Amnesiac Incognito Live System’) is probably the most well-known privacy-focused distro. It can be run from a DVD in Live mode whereby it loads entirely into your system RAM and will leave no trace of its activity. The OS can also be used in ‘persistent’ mode where your settings can be stored on an encrypted USB stick.

All connections are routed through the anonymity network Tor, which conceals your location. The applications in Tails have also been carefully selected to enhance your privacy – for example, there’s the KeePassX password manager and Paperkey, a command line tool used to export OpenPGP secret keys to print on paper. There are also a small number of productivity apps such as Mozilla Thunderbird and the powerful LibreOffice suite.

You can install more applications from Debian repositories via the command line, but they will take some time to download as they pass through the Tor network.

Do note that vulnerabilities are constantly discovered with Tails so be sure to check for updates (as you should do with any OS, of course).

Best Softwares For Linux Mint

3. BlackArch Linux

Boasts a huge range of pen-testing and hacking tools

This pen-testing distro is based on Arch Linux, which may be good or bad news depending on how familiar you are with its parent operating system. While relatively new, this OS contains over 2,000 different hacking tools, saving you the trouble of having to download what you need each time.

The BlackArch distro is constantly updated, with new ISO images being released on a quarterly basis. These are very large in size (currently 11GB) due to the amount of pre-installed programs, but note that there's also a much smaller Netinstall version which is only around 620MB.

BlackArch can be run live from a USB stick or CD, or installed onto a computer or virtual machine. It can even be installed onto a Raspberry Pi to give you a portable pen-testing computer that you can carry anywhere.

The ‘anti-forensics’ category is particularly worth mentioning as it contains tools to scan your memory for passwords to encrypted devices. This helps protect your machine from a ‘cold boot’ attack.

4. Kali

Industry-standard pen-testing distro

Named after the Hindu goddess, Kali is one of the oldest and most well-known pen-testing Linux distros. The Kali download page offers ISOs that are updated weekly, which can be run in live mode or installed to a drive. Kali will also happily run on ARM devices like the Raspberry Pi.

Kali’s reputation is so formidable that its creators offer training through the Kali Linux Dojo. Lessons include customising your own Kali Linux ISO and learning the fundamentals of pen-testing. For those unable to attend the training, all educational resources from the classes are available on Kali’s website free of charge.

Anyone interested in a career in Information Security can also take on Kali's paid penetration testing courses which take place online and are self-paced. There's a 24-hour certification exam which if passed will make you a qualified penetration tester.

5. IprediaOS

Stay under the radar via the anonymous I2P network

IprediaOS is a privacy-oriented operating system based on Fedora Linux and can be run in Live mode or installed to your hard drive. Just as Tails OS routes all your connections through the Tor network to anonymise your connection, Ipredia routes all your network traffic through the anonymous I2P network.

This is known as 'garlic routing', a process whereby I2P establishes one-directional encrypted tunnels to protect your data. This is theoretically much safer than Tor's 'onion routing' which transmits data over established 'circuits', meaning they can be targeted for surveillance.

Features include anonymous email, BitTorrent client, and the ability to browse eepsites (special domains with the extension .i2p). Unlike Tor, I2P doesn’t act as a gateway to the normal internet, so Ipredia cannot safely access regular websites.

The advantage of only accessing eepsites is that your connection is truly untraceable. As I2P is designed specifically for 'hidden' services, connection and download speeds are generally much faster than routing through Tor as TAILS does.

6. Whonix

Harness the power of virtual machines to stay safe online

Booting a Live operating system is a nuisance as you have to restart your machine, while installing it to a hard drive means there’s a risk of it being compromised. Whonix offers an elegant compromise by being designed to work as a virtual machine inside the free program Virtualbox.

Whonix is split into two parts. The first ‘Gateway’ routes all connections to the Tor network for the second ‘Workstation’ part. This hugely reduces the chance of DNS leaks which can be used to monitor what websites you visit.

The OS has a number of privacy-conscious features. These include bundled apps such as the Tor Browser and Tox instant messenger.

As it runs in a virtual machine, Whonix is compatible with all operating systems that can run Virtualbox. Virtual machines can only use a portion of your real system's resources, so Whonix will not necessarily perform as fast as an OS that has been installed to a local hard drive.

7. Discreete Linux

Keep your data secret by storing it offline with this distro

This intentionally misspelled distro is the successor to the awesome Ubuntu Privacy Remix. Discreete OS contains no support for network hardware or internal hard drives, so all data is stored offline in RAM or on a USB stick. It can be run in Live mode, but when booting from a volume also allows you to store some of your settings in an encrypted ‘Cryptobox’.

Another clever feature is that kernel modules can only be installed if they’ve been digitally signed by the Discreete Linux team. This prevents hackers from trying to sneak in malware. Note that this operating system is currently in the beta testing stage.

8. Parrot Security OS

Another distro bristling with pen-testing utilities

This Parrot Security distro comes to us from the Italian team Frozenbox. Like Kali and BlackArch it categorises tools for easy access and even has a section for the ones you most commonly use.

Parrot is based on Debian 10 (Buster), the testing branch of this OS, so you might encounter stability issues. However, note that Parrot has much more colourful backgrounds and menus than its parent OS. As such, its hardware requirements are rather more demanding than other pen-testing distros such as Kali.

A minimum of 4GB of RAM is recommended. If you don't have the RAM to spare, you can go with the 'Lite' edition of Parrot Security OS and choose to install and run only the programs you need.

For those with minimal resources, Parrot Cloud is a special version of the distro specifically designed to run on a server. It has no graphics but does contain a number of networking and forensic tools to allow you to run tests remotely. For those on a very tight budget, there is even an experimental version available for the Raspberry Pi.

9. Subgraph OS

As recommended by Edward Snowden…

Subgraph OS is based on Debian Linux and is designed for ultra-tight security. The kernel has been hardened with a number of security enhancements, and Subgraph also creates virtual ‘sandboxes’ around risky applications like web browsers.

A specialised firewall also routes all outgoing connections through the anonymous Tor network. Each application has to be manually approved by the user to connect to the network, and to access other applications’ sandboxes.

In April 2017 Joanna Rutkowska, the creator of Qubes, together with security researcher Micah Lee, were able to circumvent Subgraph's security by running a malicious app in the Nautilus file manager, which isn't sandboxed.

This attack would also work on other privacy-oriented distros such as Tails. The Subgraph team has yet to develop a patch for this exploit, but have pointed out that the OS is still in the alpha stage of development.

This distro is designed to be installed on a hard drive. Encryption of your file system is mandatory, meaning there’s no danger of writing unencrypted data anywhere. As mentioned, Subgraph is still in its testing phase so do not rely on it to protect any truly sensitive data (and as always, keep regular backups).

10. TENS

NSA approved and lightning fast

Our tenth offering is, rather aptly, TENS (Trusted End Node Security). Formerly known as LPS (Lightweight Portable Security), this Linux distro has been designed by none other than the US Air Force and is NSA approved [PDF].

The public version of TENS is specifically designed to be run in Live mode, meaning that any malware is removed on shutdown. It includes a minimal set of applications but there is also a ‘Public Deluxe’ version which comes with Adobe Reader and LibreOffice. All versions include a customisable firewall, and it’s also worth noting that this operating system supports logging in via Smart Card.

• You can download TENS here (if you have issues downloading the ISO from the official site, check here for support)

This article is an Evergreen Content by UbuntuPIT. You can safely save it to your bookmarks as it will always be updated from time to time according to any new release/information about it.

Linux Mint is one of the best Linux distros for newcomers, especially who comes from other Operating Systems like Windows and MacOS. Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu LTS and offers a rock-solid system and a set of new features everytime it releases a new version. This time I am here in front of you with a fantastic new versatile version Linux Mint 19 “Tara.” In this roundup article, I will share with you about the new features and what to do after installing Linux Mint for the first time. All those tips and tricks will make your Linux Mint system more productive and user-friendly.

The tips I will be showing is not that difficult to follow as a newcomer instead it’s simple and easy to implement in the Linux Mint system. As Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu so you can also follow Best Things To Do After Installing Ubuntu and find some useful tips and trick for your Linux Mint. Moreover, you can browse some Tips and Tricks To Speed Up the Linux System from the Ubuntu Tutorials. And check whether it fits your system or not.

Which Flavor Should You Choose?

When the question comes, which Linux distro is best as an alternative to Windows OS. It’s Linux Mint. Linux distros can adopt different flavored Linux desktop environment, and that’s the beauty of Linux. As to follow of that, Linux Mint also comes with total of three flavored – Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce.

Resource Link: Best Linux Desktop Environment: 15 Reviewed and Compared

Cinnamon is the most sophisticated and modern desktop environment for Linux Mint. It’s a flagship, fast, easy to use and slick Linux desktop environment.

MATE is fast, reliable, and stable which is based on former Gnome 2 Desktop. It looks like a bit old fashioned, but if you are searching something rock solid and comfortable to use this one is for you.

Xfce is a lightweight and blazing fast Linux Mint version designed for Old Laptops. It doesn’t consume many resources to run the essential functions.

Things To Do After Installing Linux Mint

So congratulation buddy for successfully installing Linux Mint in your machine. Now it’s time to make your journey a bit easy, smooth and of course a better one. Here I will share with you a list of some essential yet useful tips to do after installing Linux Mint. These best practices make your Linux system much user-friendly. So sit tight and let’s begin with a few recommended Things To Do After Installing Linux Mint.

Read More: Linux Mint vs. Ubuntu: 15 Facts To Know Before Choosing The Best One

Note: While writing this content, I have used Linux Mint Cinnamon, but that doesn’t mean you can not use all these tips and recommendations on Linux Mint MATE or Linux Mint Xfce.

1. What’s New in Linux Mint 19 “Tara”

Now we are going to see the best things and features Linux Mint 19 offers to its users?

• Ubuntu 18.04 LTS – I believe this doesn’t make you surprise. Linux Mint is always based on Ubuntu Long Term Support. So this time also it follows the footprint.
• Mint Welcome Screen – This time Linux Mint 19 comes with a redesigned welcome screen which helps the newbie for setting up a new Linux Mint installation.
• Cinnamon 3.8 – Linux Mint 19 shipped with a beautifully crafted and much-improved version desktop environment.
• Faster Boot – Linux Mint 19 will boot faster than the previous one.
• Artwork Improvements – Mint-X and Mint-Y installed by default with improved UI/UX.
• HiDPI – Now Linux Mint 19 supports HiDPI, and all tools use GTK3 instead Gksu.
• Desktop Flavor – As I have mentioned earlier that Linux Mint is packed in three flavors like Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce Editions but still No KDE version.
• Default Apps & XApps Enhancement – Many default software now shipped with UI/UX improvement and offers a wide range of options.
• Timeshift System Restore – This one is one of the cornerstone features of newly released Linux Mint 19. It’s more like a Windows system restore where a user can revert to any snapshot previously stored.
• Improvements in Nemo File Manager – There is a performance improvement in default file manager – Nemo. Moving files to USB or content searching is much fast and more accessible now.
• Update Manager – Update manager has improved a lot this time, and now it’s sync with timeshift configuration.
• Software Center – Software center comes with a refined UI/UX that also supports Flatpak apps.

2. Check for Update, and Upgrade

This is the quick and foremost step to do just after fresh installation of Linux Mint. This will ensure that your system has all the latest and upgraded software libraries and packages which will make the system stable and fix all the vital security issues. You can Update Manager (Click on Menu – Administration – Update Manager) or run the following command in the Terminal. And follow the onscreen instruction to complete

3. Install Multimedia Plugin

Linux Mint comes pre-packed with various media player but without multimedia codes, so it can’t play media files. To install media plugins and enjoy movies and music, run the following command:

4. Learn to Use Snap and Flatpak

There are many ways to install software in Linux Mint. Mostly, you will get all the required software from the software center. But many developers provide their software as a .deb package, AppImage, Snap package, Flatpak or source code. So as a beginner, you may find difficulty to install various apps format in Linux Mint. To make you easily understood about software installation, I have made a detailed tutorial on How To Install Software in Linux.

5. Get a Set of Best Software for Linux Mint

You can install all the required software from the software manager but here I am sharing some best Linux Software for your Linux Mint system.

• Best Email Client – Thunderbird
• Best Free Office Suite – LibreOffice
• Best Password Manager – KeePassXC
• Best Partition Manager – Gparted
• Best PDF Editor – LibreOffice Draw
• Best LaTeX Editor – TeXmaker
• Best Screen Recorder – Kazam
• Best Torrent Client – Transmission
• Best FTP Client – FileZilla
• Best Note Taking App – Simplenote
• Best Terminal Emulator – GNOME Terminal
• Best Code Editor – Atom
• Best Linux Antivirus – Sophos
• Best Educational Software – KDE Edu Suite
• Best Video Editing Software – Open Shot
• Best Download Manager – uGet
• Best Video Players – VLC
• Best Google Drive Client – overGrive
• Best Web Browser – Chromium or Google Chrome
• Best Media Server Software – Kodi
• Best Cloud Storage – OwnCloud

6. New GTK and Icon Themes

By installing themes and icons, you can change the overall traditional look of your system into something elegant and nice looking. As Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, so you can have a look on “All in One Best Ubuntu Themes that will Blow Your Mind” which is mainly written for Ubuntu, but you can also use those magnificent Themes and Icons on your Linux Mint. And Learn How to Install Beautiful Linux Themes and Icons On any Linux Distros including your Linux Mint.

7. Experiment with Desktop Environments

Though Linux Mint comes in various flavors like Cinnamon, Xfce, Mate but if you want to use any other desktop environments then follow Top Linux Desktop Environment tutorial.

8. Improve System Power Management

Linux Mint is versatile and rock solid secure OS but sometimes the system may get overheated and provides low performances. You can install TLP and Laptop Mode Tools to improve the overall system power management and increases system usability with high optimized performances.

• Install TLP

• Install Laptop Mode Tools

Linux Mint Software Downloads

After installing, get the GUI for further customization by running the following command.

9. Play Games in Linux Mint

As a Linux Mint user, you have a lot of options for playing amazing games just like Windows OS. There are lots of free Linux games and also free Steam games available in the market which are quite sufficient for fulfilling your thirst for gaming. Moreover, playing games on Linux are much more comfortable than you think. Just follow the proper and easy tutorial of installing and configuring your system for games.

10. Install Some Best Educational Software

There is a large number of free software available for educational purpose in the software manager. You can install all of those from the software manager, but here I am sharing some top best educational software and how to install those through Terminal by using the specific command.

• KAlgebra

This software is tiny and useful for learning algebra and mathematics.

• Kig

If you want to learn interactive geometry in 2D and 3D model drawing, then this piece of fantastic software is must have for you.

• GCompris

This is a game mode to teach the children about letters, vocabulary, math, science, and a little bit of computer. It is beneficial for children’s ages from 2 to 10.

• Marble

Marble is just like google earth which let the children learn about interactive 3D earth globe without any internet connection.

11. Speed Up Your Linux Mint System

Linux Mint is a secured OS and optimized for higher performances but sometimes the system gets slow and provides low performance after using a specified period. So here you can follow some best tips for speeding up the system by following Easy and Useful Tips To Speed Up Ubuntu. It is written mainly for Ubuntu, but similarly few tips are applicable for Linux Mint also as it’s based on Ubuntu.

12. Create System Snapshots

In Linux Mint, with the help of Timeshift software; you can create a system snapshot and restore to the previous stable condition if the system is broken or any unwanted situation comes up. Timeshift is nicely integrated with the system update manager.

13. Set up a Firewall

In today’s technology word, using Firewall is must for privacy and security. That’s why Linux Mint is shipped with Ufw (Uncomplicated firewall). Search for the firewall in the menu and enable it for further security.

14. Install Latest Graphics Drivers

This step is a must to do if you want to play the latest Linux Games and do a graphics designing task. All the modern Linux laptop and desktop comes with high processing performance and graphics card, so to get the best performances you should enable proprietary drivers. Follow:

Menu >> Administration >> Driver Manager

15. Clean up Linux Mint

This is last things to do after setting up all the above task. After updating, upgrading, installing various software, the system needs to get cleaned. Run the following command to clean up the additional packages and libraries from the system. You can do it in many ways.

• You can clean partial packages using a command

• You can auto cleanup apt-cache

• You can clean up of any unused dependencies

Final Thought

Linux Mint Download

Basically, you can install and use Linux Mint without doing any extra things but as I said earlier that these things mentioned above to do after installing Linux Mint would let you have a better and user-friendly system.

What Did You Do After Installing Linux Mint?

At last, I can only say that this is not it! There might be many things to do after installing Linux mint depending on users need and tasking nature. The audience really wants to know more, so if you have more exciting things to do after installing Linux Mint, please share with us in the comment section. You can also let us know any problem you faced during any of these steps.

This article will also be updated while any new Linux Mint version comes up. So you can bookmark it for future reference and share with your friends and family on social media if you think this tutorial helpful.