distro compare

lumiwa · 04-14-2006, 11:24 AM

Hi!

I have one question. For standalone computer connected to the Internet with cable/dsl modem, use voice over ip programs, surfing, licq...which one of OS/distros are default more secure, please?

1.Debian Testing/Unstable
2.SuSE
3.Gentoo
4.Slacware
5.FreeBSD
6.Arch
7.Windows

Thanks in advance.

Samoth · 04-14-2006, 12:20 PM

slackware is very good. I use it alot myself. I have also heard a lot of good things about Gentoo. Out of the box Slackware is pretty secure but you will have to set your own firewall rules(same with Gentoo). And Slackware is easier to install. OTOH Gentoo is very easy to fix security patches. So if a vulnerability is found then it wont take as long to fix(same with Debian). Also if you are using Debian and want it to be secure you might want to stay away from Unstable.Testing isn't as bad but if you want everything rock solid go for Debian Stable.

SlackerDex · 04-14-2006, 01:22 PM

Slackware. However, in my ventures trying to secure my box I came across a slack.varient called NetSecL(formerly named ISlack) which focues mainly on security. It looks very, very promising indeed - probably better than Slackware security-wise (I haven't tried it so I wouldn't know).

reddazz · 04-14-2006, 05:39 PM

From your list, I'd say FreeBSD but the Linux distros can be configured to be just as secure.