Linux distributions have far greater respect for privacy than the competition from Microsoft, Google or Apple.
Most Linux distributions will never require any form of identification to be installed, used or to access their app store.
### 🤐 Censorship resistance
Apple, Google & Microsoft operating systems, along with their respective software distribution channels (App Store, Google Play & Microsoft Store) may censor specific applications.
This is much more difficult or even impossible on Linux.
## How
### Install Linux in a Virtual Machine (VM)
Running Linux in a Virtual Machine is the best way to get a feel of what to expect.
For some use cases, it could also be acceptable to operate long term by running Linux in a VM.
But be aware from a security point of view, a VM and guest operating system will always somehow inherit the security of the host.
Meaning that if your main host system is compromised, you should ultimately consider the guess insecure too (even this can be partially mitigated by disk encryption of the guest OS).
If those manufacturers do not ship the specific model preinstalled with Linux in your country. The fact that a model can be shipped with Linux is still a valuable information in terms of compatibility.
The installation process should not be more difficult than installing Apple macOS or MS Windows. Most choices to make will be about the language, locals, timezone, keyboard & target installation disk.
The copy on the disk is usually very fast nowadays (~10 20 minutes)
Note that you can still keep your previous operating system (like MS Windows) intact on a distinct partition and boot on it if necessary (like to perform firmware upgrades).
- RedHat Enterprise Linux https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2016/03/31/no-cost-rhel-developer-subscription-now-available
- Linux Mint https://linuxmint.com/
and many more https://distrowatch.com/
##### Getting familiar
Most Linux distribution desktop environment is based on Gnome. You should first [get familiar with its UI](https://forty.gnome.org/) and [common applications](https://apps.gnome.org/)
#### Software sources
- 🟢 Linux distribution official repositories
- Examples: Debian or Fedora repositories
- Trust: very high, with usually fast updates
- Software usually sourced: base Operating System, Firefox, Chromium
- 🟡 Third-party repositories
- Examples: RPM Fusion, Flathub, Google repo, Microsoft repo
- Trust: Lower, updates may vary
- Software usually sourced: Brave, Google Chrome, Bitwarden
- 🟡 Browser extensions
- Examples: Chrome web store, Firefox add-ons
- Trust: Low, Depends
- Updates: Automatic
- Software usually sourced: Metamask, Bitwarden
- 🟡 Third party websites
- Examples: Status website, Ledger website
- Trust: Depends
- Updates: not automatic usually (AppImage)
- Software usually sourced: Status Desktop, Ledger Live, Bitwarden
##### The case of the Ubuntu Snap store
By default Ubuntu Software use the Snap Store which has an unconventional model with a large selection of software easily available but of various quality.
It is very convenient but the security model & controls applied are rather weak.
If you use Ubuntu, try to limit yourself to software where **Canonical** is the verified 🟢 developer or where you can verify a third-party vendor indeed control the package.
#### Applications distribution
##### Distribution package managers
Most applications on Linux are distributed as `.rpm` (on Fedora & Redhat derived systems) or `.deb` (on Ubuntu or Debian derived systems).
Most likely you won't have to deal with those as the installation & update are transparent in the [Software application](#updates)
For most software, you should first look if it is available in this format through your distribution official repository and Gnome Software.
🟠 Those packages require admin or `root` privileges to be installed.
##### AppImage
AppImage is a popular format for distributing portable software on Linux without admin privilege. It is a bit similar to macOS `.dmg` image files.
Applications such as Status Desktop and LedgerLive Desktop are distributed in this format on Linux.
You will have to make the `.AppImage` files executable to run them, as explained in the [Quickstart](
🟢 AppImage do not require admin or `root` privileges to be used.
#### Flatpak
Flatpak is an emerging format & ecosystem supported by default on many Linux distributions such as Fedora, Centos, Clear Linux, Elementary, Pop OS!, PureOS, etc.
🟢 Flatpak do not require admin or `root` privileges to be installed & some sandboxing features are available.
##### Snap
Snap is an emerging format & ecosystem supported by default on many Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Manjaro
🟢 Snap do not require admin or `root` privileges to be installed & some sandboxing features are available.
#### Updates
Gnome Software & Ubuntu Software will indicate when software updates are available.
