This Linux Distro Has One Of The Smartest Security Features I've Seen (and I've Tested Dozens)

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• iDeal OS is simply a user-friendly, Debian-based distribution.
• It includes a useful instrumentality for other security.
• iDeal OS is free to download and install.

Every truthful often, I tally crossed a Linux distribution that offers thing unique, and it ne'er fails to punctual maine really typical Linux is. It doesn't hap each day, but erstwhile it does, I want to propulsion my hands successful nan aerial and outcry retired a rousing, "Huzzah!"

Such was nan lawsuit erstwhile I ran into iDeal OS. 

iDeal OS is based connected MX Linux (which is based connected Debian Trixie), and location are 2 different versions:

• Emerald Edition - this version gives you each of nan applications you need, on pinch a friends desktop experience.
• Diamond Edition - this version turns your machine into a complete and powerful integer workstation. You'll get a wide assortment of devices that tin heighten nan workflow for entrepreneurs, freelancers, programmers, web designers, contented creators, artists, and more.

Both versions vessel pinch KDE Plasma 6.x, and because it's a rolling release, you tin spot your applications are ever up to date.

Also: 7 things each Linux beginner should cognize earlier downloading their first distro

But what is it that makes iDeal OS special? Other than nan truth that nan desktop includes respective PDFs pinch accusation connected activating nan Diamond edition, accusation astir nan Emerald edition, an MX User Manual, and entree to speedy strategy information, there's 1 app successful peculiar that adds yet different furniture of information to nan OS and tin beryllium utilized by anyone.

That summation is nan iDeal DNS Switcher. This exertion makes it easy to move betwixt 16 different DNS providers astatine nan click of a button. Each of these providers were chosen based connected their information and privateness practices. Even better, each DNS supplier included is free to use. 

This DNS switcher is simply a game-changer.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You tin unfastened nan iDeal DNS Switcher from nan desktop paper > System > iDeal DNS Switcher. Once open, you tin prime nan supplier you want from nan drop-down and click Apply DNS Provider. You tin moreover tally a speedy DNS leak trial (to spot if your DNS work is leaking to your net work provider) by clicking Test DNS Leak. 

Also: You tin effort Linux without ditching Windows first - here's how

This characteristic unsocial makes iDeal OS intriguing.

A wealthiness of applications

Other than iDealDNS, nan database of included applications offers a complete postulation of devices truthful you tin deed nan crushed running. You'll find LibreOffice, GIMP, Betterbird (email), Firefox, VLC media player, PDF Arranger, KeePassXC, nan afloat suite of MX Tools, and overmuch more. 

This is simply a distribution that leaves nary chromatic unturned, truthful you don't person to interest astir installing thing erstwhile nan OS is up and running. And because iDeal OS is based connected MX Linux, which is based connected Debian, you get entree to nan modular repositories, which are replete pinch applications. You besides get KDE Discover for easy app installation.

Also: I struggled pinch Hyprland for months, until this Arch-based distro fixed it

Although iDeal OS does vessel pinch Flatpak installed, you person to alteration support for it wrong KDE Discover. To adhd Flatpak to Discover, unfastened nan instrumentality and click Settins successful nan near sidebar. At nan bottommost of nan page, you'll spot Missing Backends, wherever you'll find options for Flatpak and Snap. 

Click nan downward-pointing arrow for either action to instal support. Restart Discover and spell backmost to Settings, wherever you'll find an Add Flathub fastener astatine nan apical correct corner. Click that and you're bully to go.

Adding Flatpak support successful KDE Discover is simple.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You besides get nan Yakuake drop-down terminal, which is simply a awesome action for those who dangle connected nan terminal and want to usage it efficiently.

Yakuake is an outstanding drop-down terminal for Linux.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

There's besides a tasteful Conky widget connected nan desktop that displays time/date and memory/CPU usage.

Plasma goodness

Yes, this is KDE Plasma, which intends you tin customize it to your heart's content. When you unfastened System Settings > Global Theme, you'll find 2 iDeal OS-specific themes (Dark and Light), arsenic good arsenic nan accustomed default 3 (Breeze, Breeze Dark, and Breeze Twighlight). 

Also: This Linux distro makes openSUSE accessible to each - moreover newbies should return a look

As always, I opt to move to nan ray type of nan theme, because acheronian themes thin to fuss my eyes. If you don't for illustration immoderate of those, click Get New and you tin take from respective cool themes.

Who is iDeal OS for?

One point astir modern Linux is that truthful galore distributions are now 100% viable for astir users, particularly distributions based connected Debian. iDeal OS follows successful those aforesaid footsteps: it's easy capable to usage that anyone, sloppy of skill, could log successful and consciousness correct astatine home. And pinch nan ample array of pre-installed applications, you astir apt won't person to fuss pinch installing thing retired of nan gate.

iDeal OS impressed maine because it felt truthful complete. It has everything you need, wrapped up successful a user-friendly package, truthful it's fresh to go. 

If you're willing successful giving iDeal OS a try, download an ISO (it's free) from nan charismatic site.