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{{Title|title=
Post-installation Security Advice
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{{#seo:
|description=This page provides security advice, steps that can be applied after installation of {{project_name_long}} for better security.
|image=Ball-63527-640.jpg
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[[File:Ball-63527-640.jpg|thumb]]
{{intro|
This page provides security advice, steps that can be applied after installation of {{project_name_short}} for better security.
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= Introduction =

{{security_intro}}

This page provides security advice, including steps that can be applied after installation of {{project_name_short}} for better security.

= On {{project_name_gateway_long}} and {{project_name_workstation_long}} =
== Increase Virtual Machine RAM ==
{{mbox
| image   = [[File:Ambox_notice.png|40px|alt={{project_name_short}} default password info box]]
| text    = [[Qubes|{{q_project_name_long}}]] users can skip this section. <ref>
Qubes has dynamic RAM assignment.
</ref>
}}

* {{project_name_workstation_short}}: No changes are necessary for most users.
* {{project_name_gateway_short}}: If enough host RAM is available, ideally the virtual RAM setting of {{project_name_gateway_short}} should be increased to <code>2048</code> MB RAM. <ref>
This provides higher performance during upgrades and lowers the likelihood of [https://forums.whonix.org/t/swap-swap-file-whonix-gateway-freezing-during-apt-get-dist-upgrade-encrypted-swap-file-creator/8317 issues].
</ref> If it is infeasible to increase the virtual RAM setting, {{project_name_gateway_short}} will still function properly. <ref>
Although non-ideal, [https://github.com/Whonix/swap-file-creator swap-file-creator] will create an encrypted swap file and the [https://forums.whonix.org/t/vm-swappiness-1-set-swapiness-to-lowest-setting-still-useful-swappiness-lowest/9278 system is configured to swap as little as possible].
</ref>

If it is unknown how much RAM is available, follow these steps on the host: <ref>https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/66809-determine-system-memory-size-speed-type-windows-10-a.html</ref> <ref>https://vitux.com/how-to-check-installed-ram-on-debian/</ref> <ref>https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191</ref>
* <u>Windows 10</u>: <code>Task Manager in More details view</code> &rarr; <code>Click/tap on the Performance tab</code> &rarr; <code>Click/tap on Memory</code>; or <code>Open a command prompt</code> &rarr; <code><i>Run</i></code> <code>wmic MemoryChip get /format:list</code>
* <u>macOS</u>: <code>Apple menu</code> &rarr; <code>About This Mac</code>
* <u>Linux</u>: <code>Open a terminal</code> &rarr; <code><i>Run</i></code> <code>free -h</code> <ref>This command works in Red Hat, CentOS, Suse, Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian and other distributions. Alternative commands include: <code>cat /proc/meminfo |grep MemTotal</code>, <code>top</code>, and <code>vmstat -s</code>.</ref>

Related:

* [[Troubleshooting#Low_RAM_Issues|Low RAM Issues]]
* [[RAM|Advice for Systems with Low RAM]]

=== VirtualBox ===
# To add RAM in VirtualBox the VM <u>must</u> first be powered down.
# <code>Virtual machine</code> &rarr; <code>Menu</code> &rarr; <code>Settings</code> &rarr; <code><i>Adjust</i></code> <code>Memory slider</code> &rarr; <code><i>Hit:</i> OK</code>

=== KVM ===
{{KVM_RAM}}

== Change Keyboard Layout ==
{{mbox
| image   = [[File:Ambox_notice.png|40px|alt={{project_name_short}}Change Keyboard Layout info box]]
| text    = [[Qubes|{{q_project_name_short}}]] users can skip this section. <ref>
By default, Qubes VMs use the same keyboard layout as Qubes <code>dom0</code>.
</ref>
}}

If you are using a keyboard layout other than <code>qwerty</code> (US), consider changing the keyboard layout. Refer to the dedicated [[Keyboard Layout]] entry for further details.

== Test Keyboard Layout ==
{{mbox
| image   = [[File:Ambox_notice.png|40px|alt={{project_name_short}}Test Keyboard Layout info box]]
| text    = [[Qubes|{{q_project_name_short}}]] users can skip this section.
}}

* <code>Start menu</code> &rarr; <code>Accessories</code> &rarr; <code>Mousepad</code>; or
* {{Open File
|filename=~/testfile
}}

Try typing the words <code>user</code>, <code>changeme</code> and <code>qwerty</code>. Try typing further words to ensure the desired keyboard layout is functional.

{{Anchor|Change Passwords}}
== Change Password ==
{{upstream_wiki}}

== Security Updates ==

Regularly check for security updates and apply them in a timely fashion; see [[Operating_System_Software_and_Updates#Updates|Operating System Updates]].

= Network Time Syncing =
This is a short summary of the [[Network Time Synchronization]] wiki page which is recommended reading.

{{Box|text=
'''1.''' Timezone information.

{{mbox
| image   = [[File:Ambox_warning_pn.svg.png|40px]]
| text    = '''Warning:''' The system clock inside {{project_name_short}} is set to UTC to prevent against [[timezone]] leaks. This means it may be a few hours ahead or behind the user's host system clock. <u>It is strongly recommended not to change this setting.</u>
}}

'''2.''' Check the host clock is reasonably accurate.

A reasonably accurate host clock is required for many general security properties because an inaccurate clock can lead to:

* Broken internet connectivity; and
* [[Time Attacks]].

Therefore, at all times ensure the host clock has an accuracy of up to ± 30 minutes.

'''3.''' Avoid pause / suspend / save / hibernate functions.

In simple terms, most users should avoid the pause / suspend / save / hibernate features. Although discouraged, see [[Network Time Synchronization]] for further details on when this is possible.
}}

= Better Security =

This chapter is aimed at newcomers and only provides a short and simple overview for basic protection. Anonymity and platform security can be improved by following recommendations outlined in the Security Guide and Advanced Security Guide sections, along with the [[Time Attacks]] and [[Network_Time_Synchronization|Network Time Synchronization]] page.

= Appendix =

== How do I Check the Current {{project_name_short}} Version? ==

See <code>/etc/*_version</code>.

{{Open_a__product_gw_terminal}}

{{CodeSelect|code=
cat /etc/*_version
}}

Should show.

<code>{{Stable project version based on Debian version short}}.1<br />
{{VersionShort}}</code>

The first line shows the version of the major and minor version of Debian. The second line shows the version of the derivative ({{project_name_short}}).

= Footnotes =
{{reflist|close=1}}

{{Footer}}

[[Category:Documentation]]