this post was submitted on 18 Jan 2024
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submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

Hey πŸ‘‹ dear Linux Community,

I'm still kinda new to Linux (started using this year πŸ˜…) I already made it to my main OS, even if I still missing some things which I used on Windows, anyway. What I wanted to ask you guys, what recommendations do you have for Linux Mint (Cinnamon)? In terms of security, optimization, (a way to make the UI looking modern ;-;) and privacy? I would be very interested in what you do guys to optimize your Linux setup :) I'm pretty technical, so there is nothing which could overwhelm me (probaly).

Thx! 🀍

#privacy #dataprotection #linux #linuxmint #opensource #foss #cybersecurity @linux

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 10 months ago (3 children)

In terms of security, IMO just using Linux, having a regular firewall setup and using common sense online and not clicking on anything overtly sketchy probably puts you in ahead of 90% of people on the internet lol. I'm also quite partial to running OpenSnitch just to make sure nothing's connecting to the internet without my say-so.

For privacy, I think it depends on your threat model but for the average person I'd say a VPN of some sort and mainly just being cautious about how much personal info you post on social media will cover a big chunk of it. Maybe a more privacy conscious email provider like Proton or Tuta over something like Gmail would help too, but none of that is strictly a Linux thing.

Kind of boring answers, sorry! But IMO the boring fundamentals do tend to cover the majority of stuff. Also there are places like privacyguides.org if you want to rabbit-hole it, but be warned that you might end up becoming one of those people who only goes on onion sites and pays for everything with Monero lol.

Also no idea about customizing Cinnamon, apologies.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

+1 for Opensnitch, the UI could use some smoothing out but it's very good.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Won't OpenSnitch add delay to your trafic?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Yeah, but the delay is minimal. I'm sure you wouldn't notice.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

@CrabAndBroom Thank you, but I already covered this πŸ˜… When you check my profile, you will see thats exactly the stuff I'm dealing with day by day, but ty! I may will take a look at OpenSnitch, but I think Portmaster is already covering this need.