this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Running a business using linux (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by fellowmortal@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I've run a small business for over 10 yeas. I use linux. I'm grateful to the community and I use FOSS where possible.

I have had some issues over the years, but have always been able to get around them (except CAD in 2013), but recently I've had issues with my government (UK). First they introduced 'making tax digital' and told me for years that I would have to buy windows only software (there was no legal option on linux until a few weeks before the deadline (https://www.comsci.co.uk/100PcVatFreeBridge saved the day). The UK Government didn't create a free solution or any route to that as they don't want the source to be open for making tax digital so accounting software companies have made a killing!

This week my internet banking stopped allowing payments, it no longer works in firefox (I'm guessing). On the telephone they asked me 'what search engine I was using'^+^ and advised to use google.

What is the best UK business bank to use if you use linux to run a small business? Do I have to use Chrom(e)ium? Does anyone else use linux for business admin? Is anyone (Freesoftware foundation, etc) thinking about the creeping legislative changes that make it literally illegal to use FOSS and linux?

I wanna be an ally, but its so tiring.

^+^ browser ≠ search engine. Yes, I'm pedantic, at least I didn't confuse them by saying 'quant' or 'duck duck go', OK!?

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[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 25 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I'm also based in the UK. I don't run a business but have occasionally encountered problems trying to use Librewolf on the web, especially with Noscript on.

I tried to use Qubes to separate my activities into VMs but I found it difficult. So I did my own, less extreme, approach using KVM.

I created a virtual machine which only has Chrome on it. This is what I use for accessing my bank, Paypal and doing online shopping.

I have a second machine I use for Whatsapp and email and finally a third with Librewolf for general web browsing.

Each uses the same VPN service but different servers.

I only use Freetube and Retroarch on my main machine.

This is on a very beefy Thinkpad I essentially use as a desktop in my office. I use a smaller machine downstairs with VNC on it as a remote when I'm sat on my sofa.

[–] fellowmortal@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

This sounds smart

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 months ago (2 children)

This sounds ridiculous. So much work and overhead just to usea web browser?

[–] Cyber@feddit.uk 16 points 3 months ago (2 children)

It's not just browsing discussed there. Re-read that again with cybersecurity in mind... online banking shouldn't be done whilst you're sharing a browser with tiktok (as an example)

Yep, there's private / incognito modes, but they just drop all the local session data, they're not any more secure.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 months ago (2 children)

online banking shouldn't be done whilst you're sharing a browser with tiktok (as an example)

Why? Be specific because unless something has gone horribly wrong sites can't access data from other sites or tabs unless they're cooperating. In which case they do so with session data.

And you could simply have a separate Firefox profile rather than spinning up an entire virtual machine.

[–] brbposting@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago

Neat, Mozilla’s VPN supports setting servers on a per-container basis.

Though gotta watch for DNS leaks apparently.

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

XSS springs to mind.

And spinning up a VM (or container) is not that hard nowadays.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 months ago

This does absolutely nothing to defend against XSS.

This is the problem with paranoia-based security. You create needless overhead thinking you're "more secure," but you're not. Not in any way that really matters, at least.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 5 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

This is what Firefox containers are for. Put the predatory sites in a container so they can't see out of it.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

They can't "see out" of their own tab either. Websites can only access data in the browser that they create.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 months ago

Sure they can, with cookies or tracking pixels for example.

[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

It's not that much work. I created a VM which is running the same distro as the host. I removed all of the apps except for the terminal. Then I cloned it for each VM I need.

The Whatsapp/ email client VM and the Librewolf VM start with my OS so it's like having them in separate windows. The others I only start if needs be.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 0 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

It's a lot of effort for the benefit you get, which is practically nothing. Especially considering there are even easier ways to get the same result

[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Such as?

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Just use tabs they can't access each other's data. Or use a tab session manager. Or separate Firefox profiles.

[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I don't trust Chrome, Zoom or Teams, but sometimes have to use them. I will keep them in a separate VM but will look into Firefox profiles.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 months ago

So it's just paranoia then... Which makes sense as it's way over the top.

Heck, even just creating separate system accounts and doing 'sudo -u social firefox' would be easier than spinning and maintaining VMs...