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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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How Wayland handles security considerations vs MacOS Quartz or Windows DWM? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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As I understand it, X11 has many inherent security concerns, including programs being able to read the contents of other windows and intercept keystrokes. Wayland addresses these concerns but at the moment breaks certain functions like screen readers, cursor warping, and the ability of a program to resize its own window.

I am curious as to how the display protocols of MacOS and Windows handle these situations differently. How does a program in those operating systems gain permission to read the contents of other windows, if at all? What is to be done in Wayland for these functions to be more seamless or are there inherent obstacles?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Not an answer to your question, but a (perhas naive) question itself: are keyloggers impossible on Wayland?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

With appropriate sandboxing of apps so they can't just LD_PRELOAD code into all other apps you run, yes.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

No, they are not. If someone has enough access to install a keylogger, then they can just grant permission to themselves. This is mostly security theater, trying to turn desktops into phones.