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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Thoughts on Windows and WSL? (158436977.xyz)

submitted 1 year ago by idle@158436977.xyz to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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So I've recently been interested in doing a complete switch from Windows to Ubuntu, and I've been playing around with WSL2 in Windows quite a bit and I have to admit I am pretty impressed with their implementation.

However, one of the reasons I've been drawn to Linux these days is the privacy aspect, and I'm looking to get everyone's thoughts on whether using Linux apps in WSL improves your privacy at all, or do I need to just flat out get off windows to get any sort of privacy benefit. My plan is to eventually get off Windows completely, but I guess I'm wondering if WSL is a good middle ground.

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[–] notfromhere@lemmy.one 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Windows has complete access to the WSL file system, so there’s zero privacy improvement. If you’re concerned with privacy, take a look at Arch Linux or Gentoo to install only the components you want, or if you are looking for extreme privacy, check out Tails or possibly QubesOS. Those are probably not the place to start learning about Linux but you mentioned privacy. Ubuntu, Fedora, etc. all have telemetry and crap built in so if you want privacy/anonymity you should look at other systems like the ones I mentioned. Have fun, good luck.

[–] h0rnman@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

I'll also add to this that WSL is a security nightmare. If something manages to dig its way into your wsl install and add, for example, WINE, there's no end to the (hidden to your av) mischief it can enact.

[–] idle@158436977.xyz 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thank you for the reply, that is also news to me about Ubuntu. Since im so used to debian based distros, I think i may just look into just using plain vanilla debian.

[–] notfromhere@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Even Debian has it, but at least they seem very transparent about it.

https://wiki.debian.org/PrivacyIssues

[–] idle@158436977.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

Even Debian?! Ugh..