$ cat /etc/motd
Desktop security, without the snake oil.
Independent, threat-model-first guides to secure operating systems — Qubes OS, Tails, Whonix, hardened Linux and full disk encryption. Built on the legacy of the Secure Desktops project that lived on this domain from 2015 to 2017.
// manifesto
We are the heir of the Secure Desktops project (2015) — desktop security by threat models, not by marketing. Three pillars: secure operating systems, disk and file encryption, and operational practices. Our audience is technical users, journalists, and activists who have outgrown "just install antivirus" advice. Every recommendation in these guides states what it protects against and what it does not. No snake oil, no affiliate-first verdicts, no hype.
// latest guides
2026-06-12 · #linux #hardening #sysctl #apparmor
Linux Hardening in 2026: The Threat-Model-First Guide
A practical Linux hardening guide built around threat models, not checklists. Covers sysctl, AppArmor, SELinux, kernel parameters, and verified boot — with clear explanations of what each measure actually protects against.
2026-06-12 · #encryption #luks #opsec
Full Disk Encryption in 2026: LUKS, BitLocker, FileVault and VeraCrypt Compared
A practical guide to full disk encryption across Linux, Windows, macOS and cross-platform tools — what it protects, what it does not, and how to get it right.
2026-06-12 · #luks #encryption #linux #dm-crypt
LUKS: Full-Disk Encryption on Linux — Complete Guide (2026)
A complete guide to LUKS2 full-disk encryption on Linux — cryptsetup commands, header backup, TPM auto-unlock, performance benchmarks, and what to do when your header is lost.
2026-06-12 · #linux #distros #hardening
The 7 Most Secure Linux Distros in 2026 (Ranked by Threat Model)
Choosing the most secure Linux distro depends on your threat model. This guide ranks 7 secure Linux distros by what they actually protect against.
2026-06-12 · #qubes #compartmentalization #linux
Qubes OS in 2026: How the Most Secure Desktop OS Actually Works
A technical deep-dive into Qubes OS — the compartmentalization-based desktop OS recommended by Snowden and used by security professionals worldwide.
2026-06-12 · #qubes #tails #whonix #comparison #threat-model
Qubes vs Tails vs Whonix: Which OS for Your Threat Model?
A decision framework for choosing between Qubes OS, Tails, and Whonix in 2026 — using a threat model matrix that covers targeted malware, physical seizure, mass surveillance, and identity linkage.
2026-06-12 · #tails #tor #live-os
Tails OS Explained: The Amnesic Operating System That Forgets You (2026)
Tails OS is a live USB operating system that routes all traffic through Tor and leaves no trace. Learn how it works, who needs it, and its real limits.
2026-06-12 · #tails #usb #install #verification
How to Install Tails on a USB Drive: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
A complete how-to guide for installing Tails 7.8.1 on a USB drive — including OpenPGP signature verification, writing the image, and first-boot setup of Persistent Storage.
2026-06-12 · #veracrypt #encryption #disk-encryption
VeraCrypt in 2026: Complete Guide to Encrypted Containers and Hidden Volumes
A thorough, honest review of VeraCrypt 1.26 — how to create encrypted containers, hidden volumes, and whole-disk encryption on Linux, Windows and macOS. Includes real limits vs LUKS and BitLocker.
2026-06-12 · #whonix #tor #virtualization
Whonix: The Two-VM Operating System That Makes IP Leaks Impossible
Whonix uses two isolated virtual machines to route all traffic through Tor by design. No configuration errors, no IP leaks. Here's how the architecture works.
// lineage
In October 2015, developers from Subgraph, Qubes OS and Tails met and created the Secure Desktops mailing list, hosted at secure-os.org. For two years it was a working forum for the people building the most secure desktop systems in the world. This site preserves that history and carries the same questions forward.
→ read the full history