Unfortunately, conventional security approaches like antivirus programs and (software and/or hardware) firewalls are no longer enough to keep out sophisticated attackers.įor example, nowadays it’s common for malware creators to check to see if their malware is recognized by any signature-based antivirus programs. Aren’t antivirus programs and firewalls enough? Malware can also interfere with the activities you perform with your computer.įor example, if you use your computer to conduct financial transactions, the malware might allow its creator to make fraudulent transactions in your name. This could jeopardize all the information stored on or accessed by this computer, such as health records, confidential communications, or thoughts written in a private journal. However, they present problems when it comes to security.įor example, you might open an innocent-looking email attachment or website, not realizing that you’re actually allowing malware (malicious software) to run on your computer.ĭepending on what kind of malware it is, it might do anything from showing you unwanted advertisements to logging your keystrokes to taking over your entire computer. These OSes are popular because they tend to be easy to use and usually come pre-installed on the computers people buy. Most people use an operating system like Windows or macOS on their desktop and laptop computers. In order to make the installation process easier for a wide range of users across many different devices, standard Qubes templates also include some non-free firmware and drivers.Īlso see: Will Qubes seek to get certified under the GNU Free System Distribution Guidelines (GNU FSDG)? Why is OS security important? Moreover, the architecture of Qubes OS as a meta-operating system means that it incorporates other software (including entire operating systems) from various upstream projects, some of which may include non-free software of their own. However, since Qubes OS is a security-focused operating system, it includes some non-free firmware that was not created by the Qubes OS Project (such as CPU microcode), which is necessary in order to protect against known security vulnerabilities. It also means that the source code is publicly available so everyone can audit and contribute to it. This means that everyone is allowed to use, copy, study, and change the software in accordance with its license. All the software created by the Qubes OS Project itself is free (or “libre”) and open-source software ( FOSS or FLOSS). Qubes OS is mostly “free as in speech,” but not entirely. Qubes OS is “free as in beer,” meaning that it is provided at no cost ( gratis), though donations are greatly appreciated. The difference in commonly expressed by the phrases “free as in beer” and “free as in speech.” There are two distinct senses of the word “free” when it comes to free software. Is Qubes OS free and open-source software? You can think of using Qubes OS as having many different computers on your desk for different activities but with the convenience of a single physical machine, a single unified desktop environment, and a set of tools for using qubes together securely as parts of a unified system. Qubes OS is a security-focused operating system that allows you to organize your digital life into compartments called “qubes.” If one qube is compromised, the others remain safe, so a single cyberattack can no longer take down your entire digital life in one fell swoop. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) General & Security What is Qubes OS?
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