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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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Smallest Security/Privacy Focused Distro Help? (self.linux)

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by ErrantRoleplayer to c/[email protected]

29 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've been doing some scouring and my search results are coming back confusing. Usually either incomplete information, or some kind of sales spam, so I'm reaching out in the hopes of recommendations for actual linux users and fans. I am looking for a very small, tiny even, security/privacy focused distro. I don't mind doing some work to set it up (though LFS may kill me!)

Here is what I have.

RAM: 2GB (yep. Seriously. None-upgradable).
HDD: 20GB (say 19GB)
Processor: Intel Celeron N3350 (2334Mhz average)
GPU (hah): Intel HD Graphics 500 (Integrated)

Wishlist

Graphical user interface (I appreciate it's going to be very basic)
Arch based (I love the AUR and pacman)
Base runs on less than 512MB of RAM, Arch Linux is a minimum of 512MB.

The software I plan to run on said device, so to give some kind of guidance of how much RAM we're working with.

Tor Expert and Tor Browser bundles or Mull.
Virtual machine (of some kind) with Whonix
MariaDB
RClone
VLC/Smplayer (which ever is smaller)
VPN client
Rustdesk (I can't find anything smaller than actually works)
ZSnes
SimpleX
Deluge (DelugeD with thin-client)
LibreOffice (until I can find a lighter alternative, but I need the BASIC capabilities).

Solution

https://lemmy.world/comment/10289862

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

Maybe try something with openbox? Bunsenlabs linux is a good example of what you can do with a window manager. I run it on a pentium m laptop (1 core) with 2 gb of ram. It'd be doable. (It originally had one 1 gb and I don't think I even enabled swap).

Basically arch plus mimicking their UI would be a good starting point.

Or just use bunsenlabs 32 bit if your software has 32 bit versions. It will be a bit lighter from a memory standpoint.

[–] ErrantRoleplayer 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Bunsenlabs is just slightly too heavy, I know some manage it, it depends on what you're trying to do with it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Tested or listed specs? I would recommend at least using the 32 bit version in other distros as well. It will be marginally lighter memory wise.

And I just remembered that my pentium m laptop has a dgpu. It's very weak but just enough.

Unless if it's a storage thing