Sick and tired of being paranoid about who may be watching what you use your PC for? Are you tired of trying to outsmart malicious parties who would love nothing more than to infect your system with malware? It may be time for you to switch from macOS and Windows 11 to try a privacy-focused Linux distro. There are a few of them available, and I've compiled a list of some I would recommend trying if you're at least slightly security-conscious.

Kodachi Linux

Booting into a secure environment

The Debian-based Kodachi Linux is a solid distro choice for security-conscious individuals, thanks to its routing of all online traffic through a VPN over the Tos network, all whilst using DNSCrypt. This provides a multitude of security layers against surveillance and tracking, both of which are common occurrences today. Compared to other Linux distros you've likely tried, Kodachi comes with a hardened Linux kernel, which means there are numerous privacy and security-focused improvements and modifications included out of the box.

And as standard, you'll have access to VeraCrypt, KeePassXC, BleachBit, and secure communication apps such as Thunderbird with Enigmail and Signal. Interestingly, Kodachi uses a plug-and-play model, so you won't be writing the OS to an HDD or SSD. It's fully tailored for live sessions that leave minimal to no trace on the host hardware. Remember that Ubuntu Live CD you booted to install the OS? Well, that's how Kodachi runs.

As a bonus, it includes system monitoring dashboards that offer real-time security insights, making it ideal for both advanced users and privacy novices. With regular updates and a comprehensive security setup from boot to shutdown, Kodachi is an excellent choice for beginners.

Tails

Is it hidden? Is it safe?

The Amnesic Incognito Live System (or simply "Tails") focuses almost entirely on preserving anonymity and privacy. Like Kodachi Linux, this distro runs completely from a USB drive or DVD, leaving absolutely no trace on the host hardware, unless configured otherwise. Another familiar theme is how internet access is handled ... through the Tor network, fully anonymizing traffic and protecting you from snooping eyes and surveillance.

Once up and running, Tails will present some preinstalled apps, such as Tor Browser, Electrum for cryptocurrency, GnuPG for all things encryption, and OnionShare and Thunderbird for checking email and comms. If you wish to retain anything between sessions, encrypted storage can be used for persistent data; otherwise, everything is wiped when the system shuts down.

Tails is often used by journalists, whistleblowers, and even activists who wish to enjoy maximum anonymity, so you know you're in safe hands.

Qubes

The KVM OS

Qubes OS leverages the Xen hypervisor to segregate applications into virtualized environments. You could almost consider this as the Linux desktop OS version of Proxmox, but with a slightly more traditional GUI to aid multitasking and actually getting stuff done. Handling apps and tasks this way allows Qubes OS to prevent each instance (or "qube") from communicating with one another as they each run their own OS template.

That's right, you could run an app or service within Qubes OS using an OS template for another Linux distro like Fedora or even another privacy-focused option like Whonix. It's pretty neat how deep you can dive into running software this way. These qubes can be fully customized with various firewall settings and I/O access for your hardware. There's even a setting to have qubes be disposed of once the system shuts down for maximum privacy.

Like switching from a traditional window layout to a tile-based desktop environment, you'll need to rethink how you use your PC with this OS.

PureOS

The purist form of privacy

Unlike some other distros on this list, PureOS can be installed in the traditional sense that everything is written to disk. This makes PureOS the better choice for those who wish to have a more normal desktop experience between boots, enjoying all the benefits of using a reliable base with the exceptional Gnome desktop environment. But don't let that fool you into thinking privacy and security weren't in mind for PureOS development.

PureBrowser is present, which is a hardened version of Firefox, as well as Thunderbird and other secure apps. Full-disk encryption can be configured, and there's even the option for hardware kill switches, should your hardware support it. It's not quite as advanced as some other options, and your traffic won't be routed through Tor, but it's a great choice for those moving from macOS or Windows.

Whonix

An OS within an OS

Whonix isn't a full-fledged bare metal Linux distro as such, but is instead run as a virtual machine within another OS, like we mentioned with Qubes. Although it's not technically an OS in itself, I feel like you can't really have a Linux distro list focused on privacy without at least mentioning Whonix, making this a worthy inclusion, even if you require another OS to actually run it.

As well as running Whonix as a VM, an additional instance is created for a gateway. This leverages the Tor network to prevent your IP address from being publicly visible, without the need for a VPN. On its own, Whonix is a reliable solution for your security and privacy needs, but it becomes even more powerful once you pair it with an OS such as Qubes. This OS has a long-standing track record of security and privacy for a reason.

You'll never be completely safe

The only way to protect your PC from attacks, malware, privacy intrusions, and other malicious intent is to unplug it from your LAN. That's the only guaranteed way to keep everything you use your PC for completely safe. That said, should you require an internet connection like the rest of us, these privacy-focused Linux distros can go a long way to bolstering your security measures.

Then there's ease of use. Many of these distros are designed for advanced users or those with at least some experience using Linux. For instance, Tails and Whonix can’t replace the average desktop operating system like Ubuntu or Linux Mint, and are more suited for privacy-conscious users who despise leaving traces of their activities online. It's worth reading up on any noted caveats before making the switch.