Four live distributions and three different security objectives

At first I wanted to write blog post about how to stay anonymous by using privacy enhanced OS, but changed my mind during research process as I couldn’t pass by other highly useful solutions.

I ended up by choosing The Amnesic Incognito Live System and IPrediaOS as a two different privacy enhanced distributions. Lightweight Portable Security as a simple and secure end-node. Ubuntu Privacy Remix for an isolated system to deal with sensitive data.
Each of them has it’s use and fill different needs.

The Amnesic Incognito Live System

<td>
  Tails or The Amnesic Incognito Live System
</td>

<td>
  <p>
    Tails is the best known live operating system that aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity.
  </p>
</td>

<td>
  1.1
</td>

<td>
  <a rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://tails.boum.org">tails.boum.org</a>
</td>

<td>
  Tor, I2P
</td>

<td>
  <a rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.debian.org/">Debian GNU/Linux</a>
</td>

<td>
  32 and 64 bit support
</td>

<td>
  GNOME, no additional flavors
</td>

<td>
  GNU General Public License version 3 or above
</td>

<td>
  <ul>
    <li>
      Microsoft Windows 8 camouflage mode
    </li>
    <li>
      MAC address spoofing
    </li>
    <li>
      Easy way to clone operating system to another USB device
    </li>
    <li>
      Persistent storage
    </li>
  </ul>
</td>

IprediaOS

<td>
  IprediaOS
</td>

<td>
  <p>
    IprediaOS is a secure operating system that provides an anonymous environment using I2P anonymity network.
  </p>
</td>

<td>
  0.9.6
</td>

<td>
  <a rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.ipredia.org/">www.ipredia.org</a>
</td>

<td>
  I2P
</td>

<td>
  <a rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://fedoraproject.org/">Fedora</a>
</td>

<td>
  32 bit support
</td>

<td>
  LXDE, GNOME Shell
</td>

<td>
  GNU General Public License version 2
</td>

<td>
  <ul>
    <li>
      Built around I2P support
    </li>
    <li>
      LXDE flavor is a way faster then its GNOME counterpart
    </li>
  </ul>
</td>

Lightweight Portable Security

<td>
  LPS or Lightweight Portable Security
</td>

<td>
  <p>
    LPS is a small and secure operating system created by the Air Force Research Laboratory created.
  </p>
</td>

<td>
  1.5.3
</td>

<td>
  <a rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.spi.dod.mil/lipose.htm">www.spi.dod.mil/lipose.htm</a>
</td>

<td>
  none
</td>

<td>
  custom
</td>

<td>
  32 bit support
</td>

<td>
  XFCE
</td>

<td>
  GNU General Public License version 2
</td>

<td>
  <ul>
    <li>
      Designed to act as trusted end-node
    </li>
    <li>
      Outstanding smart card support
    </li>
    <li>
      Two flavors: tiny <em>LPS-Public</em> and <em>LPS-Public-Deluxe</em> with LibreOffice and Adobe Reader software
    </li>
  </ul>
</td>

Ubuntu Privacy Remix

<td>
  UPR or Ubuntu Privacy Remix
</td>

<td>
  <p>
    UPR is a Ubuntu-based distribution designed to provide secure isolated working environment with removed support for LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth and IR hardware.
  </p>
</td>

<td>
  12.04r1
</td>

<td>
  <a rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.privacy-cd.org/">www.privacy-cd.org</a>
</td>

<td>
  none
</td>

<td>
  <a rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.ubuntu.com/">Ubuntu</a>
</td>

<td>
  32 bit support
</td>

<td>
  GNOME
</td>

<td>
  GNU General Public License version 2
</td>

<td>
  <ul>
    <li>
      Use <code>godmode</code> kernel parameter to enable <code>sudo</code> utility
    </li>
    <li>
      Designed to safely work with sensitive data
    </li>
    <li>
      TrueCrypt support
    </li>
  </ul>
</td>

Last words

I did not described Whonix in spite of the fact that it is nice solution using KDE desktop environment,
as it uses completely different approach taking advantage of the virtual machines.

I have tried to run Freepto but failed miserably during installation phase [maybe just faulty USB stick]. It is an interesting project, so I will surely try it again in the near future.

I have skipped JonDo as it is an alternative anonymizing network that provides premium chargeable services, but you are free to try it and decide for yourself.