this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2023
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Linux
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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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Because you can compile parts out of many programs and suites; you can also change dependencies, such as never including audio support or MP3 libs for anything. Sure it means no sound but if you're on a system without speakers then it's no real loss and you've reduced your attack surface.
Go through this https://www.gentoo.org/support/security/
Most people have some compilation tools installed on a binary based Linux, the tool chain yes would increase the surface too but being able to entirely remove specific parts of the os or say kernel code that is entirely unused reduces your surface. You can't expoilt code that isn't there.