List of security-focused operating systems
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of operating systems specifically focused on security. Similar concepts include security-evaluated operating systems that have achieved certification from an auditing organization, and trusted operating systems that provide sufficient support for multilevel security and evidence of correctness to meet a particular set of requirements.
Linux
Android-based
- GrapheneOS uses a hardened kernel, C library, custom memory allocator (
hardened_malloc) and offers privacy/security features, such as Duress PIN/Password or disabling the USB-C port at a driver/hardware level to avoid exploitation.
Debian-based
- Linux Kodachi is a security-focused operating system.[1]
- Tails is aimed at preserving privacy and anonymity.[2]
- Whonix consists of two virtual machines. All communications are routed through Tor.[3][4][5]
- KickSecure is a sister project of Whonix and provides its underlying OS. It's also available for install without Tor routing enabled by default.
Other Linux distributions
- Alpine Linux is designed to be small, simple, and secure.[6] It uses musl, BusyBox, and OpenRC instead of the more commonly used glibc, GNU Core Utilities, and systemd.[7]
- Owl - Openwall GNU/Linux, a security-enhanced Linux distribution for servers.
- Secureblue, a Fedora Silverblue based distro that uses the same hardened malloc as GrapheneOS.
BSD
- OpenBSD is a Unix-like operating system that emphasizes portability, standardization, correctness, proactive security, and integrated cryptography.[8]
Xen
- Qubes OS aims to provide security through isolation.[9] Isolation is provided through the use of virtualization technology. This allows the segmentation of applications into secure virtual machines.