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@ -122,12 +122,11 @@ the other. Alice's setup looks like this:
Even then, no qube ever has direct access to Alice's private keys except the Even then, no qube ever has direct access to Alice's private keys except the
backend vault itself. backend vault itself.
- A password manager vault. This is another completely offline, - A password manager vault. This is another completely offline,
network-isolated qube where Alice uses her offline password manager to store network-isolated qube where Alice uses her offline password manager,
all of her usernames and passwords. She uses the [secure copy and paste KeePassXC, to store all of her usernames and passwords. She uses the [secure
system](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) to quickly copy credentials into copy and paste](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) system to quickly copy
other qubes whenever she needs to log into anything. credentials into other qubes whenever she needs to log into anything.
- Personal qubes. One of the things Alice loves the most about Qubes is that - Personal qubes. One of the things Alice loves the most about Qubes is that
she can use it for both work *and* personal stuff without having to worry she can use it for both work *and* personal stuff without having to worry
@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ his colleagues, his family, and himself; and he understands that computer
security is an important part of that. He has a Qubes laptop that he uses only security is an important part of that. He has a Qubes laptop that he uses only
for work, which contains: for work, which contains:
- One offline qube for writing. It only runs LibreOffice Writer. This is where - One offline qube for writing. It runs only LibreOffice Writer. This is where
Bob does all of his writing. This window is usually open side-by-side with Bob does all of his writing. This window is usually open side-by-side with
another window containing research or material from a source. another window containing research or material from a source.
@ -180,23 +179,24 @@ for work, which contains:
- Whonix qubes. He has the standard `sys-whonix` service qube for providing - Whonix qubes. He has the standard `sys-whonix` service qube for providing
Torified network access, and he uses disposable `anon-workstation` app qubes Torified network access, and he uses disposable `anon-workstation` app qubes
for using Tor Browser to do research on stories he's writing. Since the topic for using Tor Browser to do research on stories he's writing. Since the topic
is often of a sensitive nature or might involve powerful individuals, it's is often of a sensitive nature and might implicate powerful individuals, it's
important that he be able to conduct this research with a degree of important that he be able to conduct this research with a degree of
anonymity. He doesn't want the subjects of his investigation to know that anonymity. He doesn't want the subjects of his investigation to know that
he's investigating him. He also doesn't want his network requests being he's looking into them. He also doesn't want his network requests being
traced back to his work or home IP addresses. Whonix addresses both of these traced back to his work or home IP addresses. Whonix helps with both of these
concerns. He also has another Whonix-based disposable template for receiving concerns. He also has another Whonix-based disposable template for receiving
tips anonymously via Tor, since some whistleblowers he's interacted with have tips anonymously via Tor, since some high-risk whistleblowers he's interacted
said that they don't want to risk using regular email. with have said that they can't take a chance with any other form of
communication.
- Two qubes for - Two qubes for
[Signal](https://github.com/Qubes-Community/Contents/blob/master/docs/privacy/signal.md). [Signal](https://github.com/Qubes-Community/Contents/blob/master/docs/privacy/signal.md).
Bob has two Signal app qubes (both on the same template in which the Signal Bob has two Signal app qubes (both on the same template in which the Signal
desktop app is installed). One is linked to his work mobile number for desktop app is installed). One is linked to his own mobile number for
communicating with co-workers. The other is a public number that serves as communicating with co-workers and other known, trusted contacts. The other is
another method of allowing sources to contact him confidentially. This is a public number that serves as an additional way for sources to reach him
especially useful for individuals who don't use Tor but for whom unencrypted confidentially. This is especially useful for individuals who don't use Tor
communication could be dangerous. but for whom unencrypted communication could be dangerous.
- Several data vaults. When someone sends Bob material that turns out to be - Several data vaults. When someone sends Bob material that turns out to be
useful, or when he comes across useful material while doing his own research, useful, or when he comes across useful material while doing his own research,
@ -210,13 +210,14 @@ for work, which contains:
- A [VPN - A [VPN
qube](https://github.com/Qubes-Community/Contents/blob/master/docs/configuration/vpn.md) qube](https://github.com/Qubes-Community/Contents/blob/master/docs/configuration/vpn.md)
and associated qubes for accessing work resources. The servers at work can and associated qubes for accessing work resources. The servers at work can
only be accessed via a VPN, so Bob has certain qubes that are connected to a only be accessed from the organization's network, so Bob has certain qubes
VPN qube so that he can upload his work and access anything he needs on the that are connected to a VPN qube so that he can upload his work and access
local network without being there. anything he needs on the local network when he's not physically there.
- A password manager vault. Bob stores all of his login credentials in this - A password manager vault. Bob stores all of his login credentials in the
offline qube and [securely copies and default password manager that came with his offline vault qube. He [securely
pastes](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) them into other qubes as needed. copies and pastes](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) them into other qubes as
needed.
A colleague helped Bob set up his Qubes system initially and showed him how to A colleague helped Bob set up his Qubes system initially and showed him how to
use it. Since Bob's workflow is pretty consistent and straightforward, the way use it. Since Bob's workflow is pretty consistent and straightforward, the way
@ -225,9 +226,10 @@ colleague told him to remember a few simple rules: Don't copy or move
[text](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) or [text](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) or
[files](/doc/how-to-copy-and-move-files/) from less trusted to more trusted [files](/doc/how-to-copy-and-move-files/) from less trusted to more trusted
qubes; [update](/doc/how-to-update/) your system when prompted; and make qubes; [update](/doc/how-to-update/) your system when prompted; and make
regular [backups](/doc/how-to-back-up-restore-and-migrate/). Bob doesn't care regular [backups](/doc/how-to-back-up-restore-and-migrate/). Bob doesn't have
to try out new software or tweak any settings, so he can do everything he needs the need to try out new software or tweak any settings, so he can do everything
to do without having to interact with the command line. he needs to do on a daily basis without having to interact with the command
line.
## Carol, the investor ## Carol, the investor
@ -243,14 +245,14 @@ protection organizations only guarantee recovery in the case of a financial
institution *failing*, which is quite different from an individual customer institution *failing*, which is quite different from an individual customer
being hacked. Moreover, even though many financial institutions have their own being hacked. Moreover, even though many financial institutions have their own
cybercrime policies, rarely, if ever, do they explicitly guarantee cybercrime policies, rarely, if ever, do they explicitly guarantee
reimbursement in the event that a customer gets hacked rather than the reimbursement in the event that a *customer* gets hacked (rather than the
institution itself. institution itself).
Carol looked into how thieves might actually try to steal her hard-earned Carol looked into how thieves might actually try to steal her hard-earned
wealth and was surprised to learn that they have all sorts of ploys that she wealth and was surprised to learn that they have all sorts of ploys that she
had never even considered. For example, she had assumed that any theft would, had never even considered. For example, she had assumed that any theft would,
at the very least, have to involve transferring money out of her account. That at the bare minimum, have to involve transferring money out of her account.
seemed like a safe basic assumption. But then she read about "pump and dump" That seems like a safe assumption. But then she read about "pump and dump"
attacks, where thieves buy up some penny stock, hack into innocent people's attacks, where thieves buy up some penny stock, hack into innocent people's
brokerage accounts, then use the victims' funds to buy that same penny stock, brokerage accounts, then use the victims' funds to buy that same penny stock,
"pumping" up its price so that the thieves can "dump" their shares on the "pumping" up its price so that the thieves can "dump" their shares on the
@ -276,18 +278,21 @@ for "most secure operating system." She read about how it's designed and why.
Although she didn't immediately understand all of the technical details, the Although she didn't immediately understand all of the technical details, the
fundamental principle of [security-by-compartmentalization](/doc/architecture/) fundamental principle of [security-by-compartmentalization](/doc/architecture/)
made intuitive sense to her, and the more she learned about the technical made intuitive sense to her, and the more she learned about the technical
aspects, the more she realized that this is what she'd been looking for. Her aspects, the more she realized that this is what she'd been looking for. Today,
setup looks like this: her setup looks like this:
- One qube for each investment firm and bank. Carol has a few different - One qube for each investment firm and bank. Carol has a few different
retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, and bank accounts. She treats each retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, and bank accounts. She treats each
qube like a "secure terminal" for accessing only that one institution's qube like a "secure terminal" for accessing only that one institution's
website and saving any statements and confirmations she downloads in that website. She makes her transactions and saves any statements and
qube. She uses the [Qubes firewall](/doc/firewall/) to enable access only to confirmations she downloads in that qube. She uses the [Qubes
that institution's website so that she doesn't accidentally visit any others firewall](/doc/firewall/) to enable access only to that institution's website
in that qube. in that qube so that she doesn't accidentally visit any others. Since most of
what she does involves using websites and PDFs, most of Carol's app qubes are
based on a [minimal template](/doc/templates/minimal/) with just a web
browser (which doubles as a PDF viewer) and a file manager installed.
- One qube for all her credit card accounts. Carol considered making a separate - One qube for all her credit card accounts. Carol started to make a separate
qube for each credit card account but ultimately decided against it. For one qube for each credit card account but ultimately decided against it. For one
thing, the consumer protections for credit card fraud in her country are much thing, the consumer protections for credit card fraud in her country are much
better than for losing assets to theft or fraud in a bank or brokerage better than for losing assets to theft or fraud in a bank or brokerage
@ -296,13 +301,18 @@ setup looks like this:
accounts or her old credit card statements, since online access to these accounts or her old credit card statements, since online access to these
generally doesn't allow spending or withdrawing any money. So, even the worst generally doesn't allow spending or withdrawing any money. So, even the worst
case scenario here wouldn't be catastrophic, unlike with her bank and case scenario here wouldn't be catastrophic, unlike with her bank and
brokerage accounts. Finally, she has way too many credit cards! While she's brokerage accounts. Third, she's not too worried about any of her credit card
very frugal, she likes to collect the sign-up bonuses that are offered for company websites being used to attach each other or her qube (As long as it's
opening new cards, so she's accumulated quite a few of them. (However, she's contained to a single qube, she's fine with that level of risk.) Last, but
always careful to pay off her balance each month, so she never pays interest. not least: She has way too many credit cards! While Carol is very frugal, she
She's also pretty disciplined about only spending what she would have spent likes to collect the sign-up bonuses that are offered for opening new cards,
*anyway* and not being tempted to spend more just to meet a spending so she's accumulated quite a few of them. (However, she's always careful to
requirement or because she can.) pay off her balance each month, so she never pays interest. She's also pretty
disciplined about only spending what she would have spent *anyway* and not
being tempted to spend more just to meet a spending requirement or because
she can.) At any rate, Carol has decided that the tiny benefit she stands to
gain from having a separate qube for every credit card website wouldn't be
worth the hassle of having to manage so many extra qubes.
- One qube for credit monitoring, credit reports, and credit history services. - One qube for credit monitoring, credit reports, and credit history services.
Carol has worked hard to build up a good credit score, and she's concerned Carol has worked hard to build up a good credit score, and she's concerned
@ -319,42 +329,56 @@ setup looks like this:
this offline qube is where she maintains a master spreadsheet to track all of this offline qube is where she maintains a master spreadsheet to track all of
her investments and her savings rate. She also keeps her budgeting her investments and her savings rate. She also keeps her budgeting
spreadsheet, insurance spreadsheet, and written investment policy statement spreadsheet, insurance spreadsheet, and written investment policy statement
here. here. This qube is based on a template with some additional productivity
software, like LibreOffice and Gnumeric (so that Carol can run her own Monte
Carlo simulations).
- Various email qubes. Carol likes to have one email qube for her most - Various email qubes. Carol likes to have one email qube for her most
important financial accounts; a separate one for her credit cards accounts, important financial accounts; a separate one for her credit cards accounts,
online shopping accounts, and insurance companies; and another one for online shopping accounts, and insurance companies; and another one for
personal email. personal email. They're all based on the same template with Thunderbird
installed.
- A password manager vault. A network-isolated qube where Carol stores all of - A password manager vault. A network-isolated qube where Carol stores all of
her account usernames and passwords. She uses the [Qubes global her account usernames and passwords in KeePassXC. She uses the [Qubes global
clipboard](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) to copy and past them into her clipboard](/doc/how-to-copy-and-paste-text/) to copy and paste them into her
other qubes when she needs to log into her accounts. other qubes when she needs to log into her accounts.
The vast majority of Carol's assets are in broad-based, low-cost, The vast majority of Carol's assets are in broad-based, low-cost,
passively-managed indexed funds. Lately, however, she's started getting passively-managed indexed funds. Lately, however, she's started getting
interested in cryptocurrency. Although she's still skeptical of investments interested in cryptocurrency. She's still committed to staying the course with
that don't generate cash flows or that are associated with scams or wild her tried-and-true investments, and she's always been skeptical of new asset
speculation, she finds the idea of self-custodying a portion of her assets classes, especially those that don't generate cash flows or that often seem to
appealing. She's knows they're very volatile, but she likes the idea of having be associated with scams or wild speculation. However, she finds the ability to
a hedge against certain types of political risk, and she recognizes that high self-custody a portion of her assets appealing from a long-term risk management
volatility also carries the potential for high returns, so she's decided to dip perspective, particularly as a hedge against certain types of political risk.
her toe in the water by allocating a small portion of her portfolio. This has She recognizes that cryptocurrency is extremely volatile, and she knows that
led her to add the following: she has the self-discipline to invest only what she can afford to lose, so
she's decided to dip her toe in the water by allocating a small portion of her
portfolio. This has led her to add the following to her Qubes setup:
- A standalone qube for running Bitcoin Core. Carol finds the design and - A standalone qube for running Bitcoin Core and an offline wallet vault. Carol
security properties of Bitcoin very interesting, so she's experimenting with finds the design and security properties of Bitcoin very interesting, so
running a full node. she's experimenting with running a full node. She also created a
network-isolated vault in order to try running a copy of Bitcoin Core
completely offline as a "cold storage" wallet. She's still trying to figure
out how this compares to an actual hardware wallet, paper wallet, or
physically air-gapped machine, but she's figures they all have different
security properties. She also recently heard about using [Electrum as a
"split" wallet in
Qubes](https://github.com/Qubes-Community/Contents/blob/master/docs/security/split-bitcoin.md)
and is interested in exploring that further.
- Whonix qubes. Carol read somewhere that Bitcoin nodes should be run over Tor - Whonix qubes. Carol read somewhere that Bitcoin nodes should be run over Tor
for privacy and security. She found it very convenient that Whonix is already for privacy and security. She found it very convenient that Whonix is already
integrated into Qubes, so she simply set her Bitcoin Core qube to use integrated into Qubes, so she simply set her Bitcoin Core "full node" qube to
`sys-whonix` as its networking qube. use `sys-whonix` as its networking qube.
- Various qubes for DeFi and Ledger Live. Carol has also started getting into - Various qubes for DeFi and web3. Carol has also started getting into DeFi
decentralized finance and web3, so a friend recommended that she get a Ledger (decentralized finance) and web3 on Ethereum and other smart contract
hardware wallet. She downloaded the Ledger Live software in an app qube and blockchains, so a friend recommended that she get a Ledger hardware wallet.
[set up her system to recognize the She downloaded the Ledger Live software in an app qube and [set up her system
to recognize the
Ledger](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Ledger_Hardware_Wallet). She can now Ledger](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Ledger_Hardware_Wallet). She can now
start her [USB qube](/doc/usb-qubes/), plug her Ledger into it into a USB start her [USB qube](/doc/usb-qubes/), plug her Ledger into it into a USB
port, [use the Qubes Devices widget to attach it](/doc/how-to-use-devices/) port, [use the Qubes Devices widget to attach it](/doc/how-to-use-devices/)
@ -366,8 +390,15 @@ led her to add the following:
- Various qubes for research and centralized exchanges. Carol uses these when - Various qubes for research and centralized exchanges. Carol uses these when
she wants to check block explorer websites, coin listing and market cap she wants to check block explorer websites, coin listing and market cap
sites, aggregation tools, or just to see what the latest buzz is on Twitter. sites, aggregation tools, or just to see what the latest buzz is on Crypto
Twitter.
Carol makes sure to back up all of her qubes that contain important account
statements, confirmations, spreadsheets, cryptocurrency wallets, and her
password manager vault. If she has extra storage space, she'll also back up her
templates and even her Bitcoin full node qube, but she'll skip them if she
doesn't have time or space, since she knows she can always recreate them again
later and download what she needs from the Internet.
## Conclusion ## Conclusion
@ -382,12 +413,18 @@ everyone will want to use the same email client. On the other hand, almost
everyone will need a password manager, and it pretty much always makes sense to everyone will need a password manager, and it pretty much always makes sense to
keep it in an offline, network-isolated vault. keep it in an offline, network-isolated vault.
As you're designing your own Qubes system, keep in mind some of the following As you gain experience with Qubes, you may find yourself disagreeing with some
tips: of the decisions our fictional friends made. That's okay! There are many
different ways to organize a Qubes system, and the most important criterion is
that it serves the needs of its owner. Since everyone's needs are different,
it's perfectly normal to find yourself doing things a bit differently.
Nonetheless, there are some general principles that almost all users find
helpful when they're first starting out. As you're designing your own Qubes
system, keep in mind some of the following lessons from our case studies:
- You'll probably change your mind as you go. You'll realize that this qube - You'll probably change your mind as you go. You'll realize that one qube
should really be split into two, or you'll realize that it doesn't really should really be split into two, or you'll realize that it doesn't really
make sense for these two qubes to be separate and that they should instead be make sense for two qubes to be separate and that they should instead be
merged into one. That's okay. Qubes OS supports your ability to adapt and merged into one. That's okay. Qubes OS supports your ability to adapt and
make changes as you go. Try to maintain a flexible mindset. Things will make changes as you go. Try to maintain a flexible mindset. Things will
eventually settle down, and you'll find your groove. Changes to the way you eventually settle down, and you'll find your groove. Changes to the way you
@ -404,7 +441,7 @@ tips:
experience of others. Keeping good backups also allows you to be a bit more experience of others. Keeping good backups also allows you to be a bit more
free with reorganizations. You can delete qubes that you think you won't need free with reorganizations. You can delete qubes that you think you won't need
anymore without having to worry that you might need them again someday, since anymore without having to worry that you might need them again someday, since
you know you can always restore them from a backup if it turns out you do. you know you can always restore them from a backup.
- Think about which programs you want to run and where you want to store data. - Think about which programs you want to run and where you want to store data.
In some cases, it makes sense to run programs and store data in the same In some cases, it makes sense to run programs and store data in the same
@ -417,14 +454,14 @@ tips:
size of your installation. Templates, service qubes, and qubes that are used size of your installation. Templates, service qubes, and qubes that are used
exclusively for running programs and that contain no data don't necessarily exclusively for running programs and that contain no data don't necessarily
have to be backed up as long as you're confident that you can recreate them have to be backed up as long as you're confident that you can recreate them
if needed. This is why it can be useful to keep notes on which packages you if needed. This is why it's a good practice to keep notes on which packages
installed in which templates and which customizations and configurations you you installed in which templates and which customizations and configurations
made. Then you can refer to your notes the next time you need to recreate you made. Then you can refer to your notes the next time you need to recreate
them. Of course, backing up everything is not a bad idea either. It may those qubes. Of course, backing up everything is not a bad idea either. It
require a bit more time and disk space upfront, but for some people, it can may require a bit more time and disk space upfront, but for some people, it
be just as important as backing up their irreplaceable data. If your system can be just as important as backing up their irreplaceable data. If your
is mission-critical, and you can't afford more than a certain amount of system is mission-critical, and you can't afford more than a certain amount
downtime, then by all means, back everything up! of downtime, then by all means, back everything up!
- Introspect on your own behavior. For example, if you find yourself wanting to - Introspect on your own behavior. For example, if you find yourself wanting to
find some way to get two qubes to share the same storage space, then this is find some way to get two qubes to share the same storage space, then this is
@ -454,16 +491,17 @@ tips:
- On the other hand, compartmentalization --- like everything else --- can be - On the other hand, compartmentalization --- like everything else --- can be
taken to an extreme. The appropriate amount depends on your temperament, taken to an extreme. The appropriate amount depends on your temperament,
time, patience, experience, risk tolerance, and expertise. In short, there time, patience, experience, risk tolerance, and expertise. In short, there
can be such a thing as *too much* self-imposed security! You also have to be can be such a thing as *too much* compartmentalization! You also have to be
able to use your computer to actually do the things you need to do. For able to actually *use* your computer efficiently to do the things you need to
example, if you immediately try to jump into doing everything in do. For example, if you immediately try to jump into doing everything in
[disposables](/doc/how-to-use-disposables/) and find yourself constantly [disposables](/doc/how-to-use-disposables/) and find yourself constantly
losing working (e.g., because you forget to transfer it out before the losing working (e.g., because you forget to transfer it out before the
disposable self-destructs), then that's a big problem! Your extra disposable self-destructs), then that's a big problem! Your extra
self-imposed security measures are interfering with the very thing they're self-imposed security measures are interfering with the very thing they're
designed to protect. At times like these, take a deep breath and remember designed to protect. At times like these, take a deep breath and remember
that you've already reaped the vast majority of the security benefit simply that you've already reaped the vast majority of the security benefit simply
by using Qubes and performing basic-level compartmentalization (e.g., no by using Qubes OS in the first place and performing basic
random web browsing in templates). Each further step of hardening and compartmentalization (e.g., no random web browsing in templates). Each
compartmentalization beyond that is only an incremental gain with diminishing further step of hardening and compartmentalization beyond that represents an
marginal utility. Try not to allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good! incremental gain with diminishing marginal utility. Try not to allow the
perfect to be the enemy of the good!