List of security-focused operating systems

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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.

## Contents

* 1 Linux
* 1.1 Android-based
* 1.2 Debian-based
* 1.3 Other Linux distributions
* 2 BSD
* 3 Xen
* 4 See also
* 5 References

## Linux

Main article: Software:Linux

### Android-based

Main article: Software:Android (operating system)

* GrapheneOS is a Security-focused, Android-based mobile OS that uses a hardened kernel, C library, custom memory allocator (`hardened_malloc`), and custom privacy and security focused Chromium based browser named Vanadium[1]. it also offers privacy/security features, such as Duress PIN/Password or disabling the USB-C port at a driver/hardware level to avoid exploitation. it enables multiple exploit mitigations such as memory tagging, secure app spawning, restricted dynamic code loading, and more.[2]

### Debian-based

Main article: Software:Debian

* Linux Kodachi is a security-focused operating system.[3]
* Tails is aimed at preserving privacy and anonymity.[4]
* KickSecure is a security-focused Linux distribution that aims to be "hardened by default". It uses network hardening, kernel hardening, Strong Linux User Account Isolation, better randomness, root access restrictions, and app-specific hardening.[5]
* Whonix is an anonymity focused operating system based on KickSecure. It consists of two virtual machines, And all communications are routed through Tor.[6][7][8]

### Other Linux distributions

* Alpine Linux is designed to be small, simple, and secure.[9] It uses musl, BusyBox, and OpenRC instead of the more commonly used glibc, GNU Core Utilities, and systemd.[10]
* Owl \- Openwall GNU/Linux, a security-enhanced Linux distribution for servers.
* Secureblue, a Fedora Silverblue based distro that uses a hardened kernel, custom memory allocator (`hardened_malloc`), Trivalent, a security-focused, Chromium-based browser inspired by Vanadium, and many other exploit mitigations.[11]

## BSD

Main article: Software:Berkeley Software Distribution

* OpenBSD is a Unix-like operating system that emphasizes portability, standardization, correctness, proactive security, and integrated cryptography.[12]

## Xen

Main article: Software:Xen

* Qubes OS aims to provide security through isolation.[13] Isolation is provided through the use of virtualization technology. This allows the segmentation of applications into secure virtual machines.

## See also

* Computer security
* Comparison of operating systems
* Comparison of mobile operating systems
* Security engineering

## References

1. ↑ "Features overview | GrapheneOS - Vanadium: hardened WebView and default browser" (in en). https://grapheneos.org/features#Vanadium.
2. ↑ "Features overview | GrapheneOS" (in en). https://grapheneos.org/features.
3. ↑ Choudhury, Ambika (2019-06-04). "10 Most Secured Linux Distros For Advanced Privacy & Security" (in en-US). https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-mysteries/10-most-secured-linux-distros-for-advanced-privacy-security/.
4. ↑ Vervloesem, Koen (27 April 2011). "The Amnesic Incognito Live System: A live CD for anonymity [LWN.net"]. https://lwn.net/Articles/440279/.
5. ↑ "Kicksecure - A Security Hardened Linux Distribution" (in en). 2026-01-29. https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/About.
6. ↑ "Devs cook up 'leakproof' all-Tor untrackable platform". The Register. 13 Nov 2012. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/13/whonix/.
7. ↑ Greenburg, Andy (17 June 2014). "How to Anonymize Everything You Do Online". Wired. https://www.wired.com/2014/06/be-anonymous-online/.
8. ↑ "Whonix adds a layer of anonymity to your business tasks". TechRepublic. 4 January 2013. http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/smb-technologist/whonix-adds-a-layer-of-anonymity-to-your-business-tasks/.
9. ↑ "about | Alpine Linux". https://alpinelinux.org/about/.
10. ↑ says, GigaTux (24 August 2010). "Alpine Linux 2 review | LinuxBSDos.com". https://linuxbsdos.com/2010/08/23/alpine-linux-2-review/.
11. ↑ "Features | secureblue" (in en). https://secureblue.dev/features.
12. ↑ OpenBSD Project (19 May 2020). "OpenBSD". https://www.openbsd.org/.
13. ↑ "Qubes OS bakes in virty system-level security". The Register. September 5, 2012. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/05/qubes_secure_os_released/.

This article is part of a series on

Information security
Related security categories

* Internet security
* Automotive security
* Cyberwarfare
* Computer security
* Mobile security
* Network security

Threats

* Advanced persistent threat
* Computer crime
* Vulnerabilities
* Eavesdropping
* Malware
* Spyware
* Ransomware
* Trojans
* Viruses
* Worms
* Rootkits
* Bootkits
* Keyloggers
* Screen scrapers
* Exploits
* Backdoors
* Logic bombs
* Payloads
* Denial of service
* Web shells
* Web application security
* Phishing

Defenses

* Computer access control
* Application security
* Antivirus software
* Secure coding
* Secure by default
* Secure by design
* Secure operating systems
* Authentication
* Multi-factor authentication
* Authorization
* Data-centric security
* Encryption
* Firewall
* Intrusion detection system
* Mobile secure gateway
* Runtime application self-protection (RASP)

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