Dear friends,
Just a short note about the issue of (the very good) Взгляд.ру (URL: http://www.vz.ru) getting flagged as “malware attack site” or something similar, it could be due to a) something wrong with the site b) something wrong with an advertisement on the site c) political censorship. The point is this: this is a great opportunity for you all to drop Windows and/or Mac and switch to Linux (properly called “GNU/Linux”). For a list of options I recommend please see the “GNU/Linux distributions I recommend” box on the lower right of this page. Then, use a browser which has an “AdBlock” extension. FireFox and Chrome are the two I mostly use. FireFox also has extensions like “FlashBlock” and the “NoScripts Security Suite” which provide an additional level of security. The latter require a tad more IT knowledge to use.
The bottom line is this: if you are using Windows – you are constantly exposing yourself to a huge amount of very different risks; if you are using Mac, you are much better off, but you are grossly overpaying for your software and you are not safe from malware approved by Mac. The only solution is to use free software which, for most people, means Linux (though *BSD is an excellent solution for the tech-savvy).
Here are a few links for those of you interested in trying out the “free world”:
- What is Free Software (must read)
- From Windows to Linux
- Linux is NOT Windows (must read)
- The table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux
- Linux Mint 15 User’s Guide (for those who will begin with the Mint distribution – which I what I would suggest for most beginners)
- Xubuntu Documentation (for those who will begin with the Xubuntu distribution)
- Trisquel Documentation (for those who will begin with the Trisquel distribution)
One more thing: contrary to what many ignorant people think, Linux is not hard to learn at all. In fact, it is much easier than Windows. However, for a person who learned all the wrong habits on Windows it is not easy to re-learn the logical way to do things, which is how Linux works. Not only will you computer run according to a different logic, but your way of solving problems also will have to change. For example, instead of paying a fortune to speak with a person with a thick accent for one hour and not get your problem solved, you will learn how to get help for free and in minutes from something called an “IRC” or, at least, a forum. You will also have to find out how to beat the many petty schemes corporations are constantly cooking up to try to force you to use their bloatware. The good news is that if Windows and Mac are corporation-centric worlds, the world of Linux is community-centered, just like this blog, and there are literally thousands of folks our there willing to offer a helping hand for no other remuneration than a heartfelt “thank you” from you.
Mind you – today I still got the stupid warning about vz.ru while using FireFox on a Linux computer, that will not disappear as it is OS-independent, but I could simply ignore that warning and waltz away happily to that “dangerous” site.
Which brings me to one small word of caution. There is what I call “corporate Linux” out there. Names like Ubuntu, RedHat and others. My advice – stay away from them and their products. However, products derived from them like Mint or Xubuntu are okay to use as long as they are piloted by a community, not a corporation. I would also recommend you stick to so-called APT-based distribution or “Debian derivatives”, which is the case of all of the distros listed in the “GNU/Linux distributions I recommend” box.
That’s it. Sorry for this techie-sidebar, but I wanted to remind you all that you don’t have to put up with all this ‘malware’ nonsense and that you can enjoy both freedom and security on your computers.
Now back to the important business at hand.
Cheers,
The Saker
PS: I will not have the time to reply to any comments to this post (nevermind private emails!). I have to keep my priorities straight. Right now the priority #1 is the situation in the Ukraine, not IT discussions. Sorry.
Saker
Thanks for the recomendations. Very helpful.
Personally, I’ve been using Ubuntu for five years or more and I’m happy with it. You have to download it (64-bit or 32-bit bersion as the case may be), put it on a USB stick, go into your computer’s BIOS ( or UEFI as windows calls it now) and set it to load from the stick on the next start-up, and from that point on, it’s basically peaches and cream. It contains the requisite key to unlock the UEFI automatically.
Sometimes, it can’t find the right wireless driver, but that’s increasingly rare. In any case, it’s always a wise precaution when installing any operating system to use the network cable, because the wireless link is liable to drop out during the installation, precisely when it wants to go online for upgrades.
I’m just not interested in talk about backdoors, because it’s all open source code and there are plenty of people crawling around in it, so a backdoor would probably be spotted. Finally, Canonical (the makers) swear continually that Ubuntu will always be free, period.
DavidKNZ:
Particularly salient advice for those still using Windows XP. M$ is using FUD (Fear,Uncertainty,Doubt) to herd folks into buying an upgrade – upgrade to the M$ stock price that is.
Why stick with apt? I think a lot of new Linux users hear that Debian-based systems have more packages and are more stable. This addresses the unfounded concerns these new users have about stability and software availability. No major Linux distribution has any problem in this regard, Apt/Debian-based or not. I use Arch Linux, it’s not for the beginner but I’m not an expert either, I rely heavily on the wikis. The software is considerably more up to date than on the average Debian-based system. For the new user coming from windows I’d generally recommend openSUSE-KDE.
IMO, Saker’s recommendation of Linux Mint as the easiest to use is the best!
Its powerful KDE desktop version. Linux Mint KDE ( http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2530 ) will certainly not disappoint you (I have been using it safely for years).
Greetings from Singapore:
Easy Linux:
———–
Linux Mint
Bodhi
Xubuntu
Lubuntu
OpenSuse
Fedora
Ubuntu
Simply Linux (Russian)
Rosa (Russian)
Agilialinux (Russian)
With good IT knowledge:
———————-
Debian
Archlinux
Slackware
FreeBSD (Unix)
OpenBSD (Unix)
There are many more and they are free.
Just search with yandex.com (avoid google.com).
Regards
I recommend Lubuntu, Ubuntu with the LXDE desktop, supposedly less troublesome than the default option.
But it’s easy to try out different versions. They’re usually designed to run Live, ie in RAM, giving you the option to install onto your drive if you decide to keep it.
– Hi Rowan
Tried Ubuntu and Mint few years back, cannot get it to run Eudora (been using Eudora email clients since beginning of time). If you or anyone can help or provide exact website migrate to Linux, will be extremely grateful. Further, if possible run old Opera Ver. 12.17 and NOT the new Opera’s Chrome platform.
Doesn’t matter either Ubuntu or Mint? Thanks.
JC
I’m been using Linux Mint 14 now for about one year. I swear by it. For over a year, I could not get my DVD burner to work in Windows XP. I bought a second burner, tried two different software programs–nothing worked. Then as a test, I bought a small 150Gb hard drive and tried Linux. What a change. It boots about 5x faster than Windows,and the DVD burner works perfectly now.
A couple of other features worth mentioning. There is no longer any need to defrag the hard drive as Linux is laid out on the drive differently from Windows. Also, Linux is immune to malware, so you don’t need to install any anti-malware software. However, you should run the anti-virus software ClamTK from time to time, because you could pass on a virus in an email to someone with Windows.
There is no doubt at all who was responsible for the Odessa massacre.
http://scgnews.com/odessa-massacre-evidence-the-mainstream-media-wont-show-you-warning-disturbing-footage
It would be interesting to know whence this bogus malware warning. FWIW, I am not seeing it for http://www.vz.ru/. I’ve tried both FireFox and Safari and they open this site without any errors.
Hello,
Do you have any comment to this link:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2014/05/05/putins-human-rights-council-accidentally-posts-real-crimean-election-results-only-15-voted-for-annexation/
Sounds a bit odd….
contrary to what many ignorant people think, Linux is not hard to learn at all. In fact, it is much easier than Windows
Sorry, not true. I use and am comfortable with both. The convenience of Windows is hard to beat. At least in my scientific field where two huge suits of programs and a zillion of add-ons are routinely used, 99% of Windows installations are one click affairs whereas 90% of their equivalents in Linux invariably end up in hassles of all kinds.
it’s probably a wrong thread to post it
the cossacks are supposedly coming to Antracite (near Lugansk)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi20JwfkB1c
it’s not regular russian army (and I must emphasise for my fellow readers that Russian govt has no control over it), but the a very good approximation.
Also, rumours are 2000 Crimean volunteers are coming to Donetsk region. If true, the is again an excellent episode of trolling by VVP.
windows xp using opera with “no adds advanced” and “ghostery” installed here, vz.ru works perfect, about linux,you can also use puppy linux, i use slacko(debian based) version. it lets you boot your pc directly from usb stick or cd, with no need to install it, because it works from ram, and its no information left on pc when you switch off. like this you can carry your usb stick with linux everywhere and use on most pc
On this website yall can find many informations about everything you need: http://www.prism-break.org/en/
Since january I run Zorin (basically a shell for Ubuntu). The only things which will not run are a cheap webcam and my printer. I do have an XP laptop, so the rare occasion I need to print something I use a USB stick.
Another great upgrade is a SSD drive, for the operating system and programs: It speeds the computer up about x 10 (and linux is already several x faster than Windows!
Take care mr Saker, you have become an important source of truth!
If you want to motivate your employer to change to GNU/Linux, I suggest looking at “After Edward Snowden, are core banking systems secure”. You can find it here:
http://www.free-it-foundation.org/article/2013-07-11-after-edward-snowden-are-core-banking-systems-secure
Thanks for supporting free software.
I am told that the following link (with the pictures and comments on the burnt/executed people inside the building in Odessa) is automatically sent to spam by WordPress if put in any blog comments
http://ersieesist.livejournal.com/813.html
JC: I’m sorry I can’t advise you on those issues, because I just use the default email client (Thunderbird) and the default browser (Firefox). They’re compact and effective, and there are several add-ons which make them irritant-free for me: AdBlockPlus with a pop-up blocker add-on of its own, and FlashBlock, which prevents flash scripts from running automatically. I’m content not to experiment with the non-default possibilities. Ubuntu Forums would probably have whole threads on the issues you mention.
DK,
Yes initially Windows is easier for users but, there are inherent design flaws in Windows that lead to serious derogation of the OS over a short period of time. This with all versions. The Achilles heal of the system is the file system and it’s ability to easily fragment and corrupt. Then there are still user privilege issues that stem from the windows legacy pre internet.
Linux will not suffer same issues but with it comes a lack of specific programs for professional fields that Windows has an advantage. For me it is audio and some Graphic Design programs. Mainly audio though. With the move by Valve to publish Steam on the Linux platform, I think significant strides will be made to bolster Linux on the desktop.
For day in and day out computing with little issues, Linux can’t be beat. Still as a media orientated person, I still cry at the state of OS’s now days compared to BeOS in the late 90’s which ran rings around anything on generic hardware and still does when it comes to media intensive tasks. Also the only true plug and play system I have ever witnessed :)
For myself it is a combo of Xubuntu and Windows 8.1 for music but using the same day to day programs on both like Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, VLC Player etc. I also hear great things about Debian’s version of XDesktop aka XFCE.
Linux, harder to setup but once done, then easy to maintain. Windows, the opposite.
I hope the idea of money develops to a community based system which is not owned or controlled or for profit private systems unlike at present. Similar to OSS aka Linux. Still watching the likes of BitCoin and LiteCoin to see where they go.
Again Saker – thanks for your blog and the information you provide.
Justin.
Strongly second the recommendation for
those new to th elinux desktop to use
Linux Mint KDE or the MATE desktop
version also.
Let it boot as the “live cd” and you
will be sure your hardware is supported
and you can “try before you buy” 8-]
This is VERY easy to do, install and
use. Do NOT be distraced by the microsoft
FUD. Ubuntu will also be a viable choice
as well.
Hi !
Have a look at Puppy Linux (sounds funny…but real strong different distros .My favourite.
Not much demanding on CPU and Ram
Awsome Community .Strong support.
Really good Start for Linux beginners .Small Isos for older but also newer computers with 120-210mgb size(depends on which version ).Good on USB stick also full installs .
http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20and%20Getting%20Started.htm
I installed Ubutnu last year and it surreptitiously snapped a picture during the install process. It reminded me that corporation (Canonical in this case) or no corporation, you do not have ANY privacy online EVER.
Tor is a US Navy project with an elaborate cover story. It will keep some of the private snoopers out but deliver all your top secret emails straight to the US government.
The net has been redisigned to be a zone of total surveilance. A tech savy person might be able to gain temporary anonymity but will immediately draw suspcion for having done so (there are programs for that). Everything goes through US controlled servers which copy and store your information for the purposes of future blackmail.
Even your security software, anti-virus and so on are purposely built to spy on you and make any data collected easily available to anyone of 17 or 21? US intel agencies.
You do not have an option for privacy unless you are a large organization with lots of money. Act accordingly.
That said, migrating to Linux is still a good idea — Windows is horrible. Just don’t expect to be liberated from the control grid.
Hi all,
Just a short comment for those worried about their anonymity and privacy. There are a few systems specifically designed with privacy and anonimity in mind:
– Tor based Tails system
– Whonix
Those are hardened Linux systems which help you avoid surveillance. Mind you, anonimity requires much more then just an operating system (noone can protect you from yourself), but it is a good foundation.