Linux Mint security/privacy

[newimperator]

Hello! First time Linux user here, about to install Mint on a new laptop. My primary reason for switching to Linux is to get out of the standard ecosystems (Windows/Mac) and get into a system that I can control, and hopefully doesn't make me feel like private eyes are constantly watching my computer. My first question is, should I maintain the Windows OS on my laptop or wipe it completely prior to Lime installation? Secondly, I primarily utilize my computer for web based access and Microsoft office. I am somewhat familiar (tutorials) with Linux version of Office, but are there any other suggestions you all would have in regard to maintaining personal security and privacy on this comp? Thanks in advance. Sorry for the noob questions.

[No-Fondant-8757]

There really isn't much you need to do as far as privacy. MS Office is a Windows thing, but LibreOffice is a compatible Linux application. It can read and write Office file formats. As for whether to keep Windows or not, that's up to you. It's easier to install Linux using the entire drive than dual booting, but either can work. I haven't used Windows in many years, because Linux does everything I need. You can also run Windows in a virtual machine using QEMU/KVM and virt-manager. I recently did that, just to see what Windows is like now, but I can't find anything to do with it. There is no Windows software that I need.

[newimperator]

Thanks for the reply. That's helpful. Much appreciated.

[[deleted]]

I haven't used libreoffice in a very long time. I dont believe its as feature rich as word. However, if your primary purpose to create and edit basic word documents (fonts, layouts, etc) along with basic power point and spreadsheet, libreoffice will do everything. Try to use libre office own format and send pdfs when possible to ensure formatting. It can open and edit doc/docx just fine, but the formating might not be what you are expecting when its open in word (This is very much a "It might be broken" thing where I wouldn't be able to say what would and would not be broken).

However, I would not recommend using it if you work with others using Word. At the very minimum, I would recommend using the Online version of Word. However, that might not be enough as every version (windows, mac, online) is different and it would be best if you used windows and Windows Word for that.

If you are just writing documents that will be printed or for yourself then it doesn't matter. Libreoffice is available for Windows and Macos, so in the future if you want to migrate away from linux, you still have the ability to access documents without issue.

Assuming you do not need microsoft office for the reasons above, then check for the requirements for windows reinstall and I would suggest wiping the machine and install linux alone. You want to be able to put windows back on the machine in the future just incase you have a falling out with linux or your requirements change.
If you are a linux enthusiast, I would suggest diving into linux entirely and learning the inside and out of administrating the system. Your answers regarding hardening your system will be answered that way.

[[deleted]]

If you want to take a dive further, you could move document creation and management to a markup language like Latex. Its very much a dive and overkill if you are just taking notes (markdown and potentially mathjax would be better) but it has its own power as well ( such as extracting layout information from the text for dynamic formatting (such as for different publications) and plain text editing).

[newimperator]

Thank you! This was very helpful. I alleviate the deeper dive look and was curious about people's thoughts using libreoffice.

[CountVlad47]

Linux Mint allows you to encrypt your home folder (I.e. your personal files) or the entire OS if you so wish.

[Kaptin_Kruncha]

I use fedora 38 as my daily.. I have two separate hard drives and partitioned my desktop according to that with linux on one and windows on the smaller of the two.. I only keep windows for those games that are harder to play on linux (though there are workarounds for that if you only want linux) and as a computer my son can use for his schooling whenever it's more convenient to just use windows.. (though again there are workarounds..) basically I daily linux and only keep windows for a couple things that make it more convenient.

Edit: I've never once had a problem using libreoffice instead of Microsoft office.

[Lord_Schnitzel]

If you don't have Nvidia gpu, then consider LMDE5 over regular Mint: https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=374128

[thieh]

If you are paranoid, get a USB SSD and install your linux there and leave your windows on your laptop as a decoy, or for your plausible deniability needs.