Solved Astra Linux, the Russian operating system based on Debian 12

[hacktheworld]

Astra Linux, Russian operating system based on Debian 12. Astra SE (Special Edition) version which, however, is not available to all. The latest version of Astra Linux common is 2.12.46
An interesting thing is that on Astra SE you can choose between three levels of security: Base security level, Advanced security level and Maximum security level (In the screenshot you can see how the security levels are based)

 

[CaffeineAddict]

An interesting thing is that you can choose between three levels of security: Base security level, Advanced security level and Maximum security level

Thanks but my Debian 12 is already at maximum security.

No matter what other distributors say or develop I'm not gonna switch to anything else.

 

[Condobloke]

I remember Linus Torvalds expressed/showed a distrust for anything coming out of Russia.

Would you really trust this distro ?

 

[KGIII]

Let's not fly too close to the Sun and avoid politics.

(Preemptive reminder.)

 

[Condobloke]

Thread 'Linus Torvalds Comments On The Russian Linux Maintainers Being Delisted'

Oct 24, 2024

Several Linux Kernel Driver Maintainers Removed Due To Their Association To Russia - Phoronix

www.phoronix.com

Linus Torvalds Comments On The Russian Linux Maintainers Being Delisted - Phoronix

www.phoronix.com

• f33dm3bits
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Linux Security

• 

 

[wizardfromoz]

Brian, on #5, originally via Maarten - neither of Astra Linux, nor another (which I use), Calculate Linux, is referred to in either article.

HTH

Wizard

 

[Mike-W0BTU]

I remember Linus Torvalds expressed/showed a distrust for anything coming out of Russia.

Would you really trust this distro ?

No way.

I've read far too many news articles about various network attacks that originate in Russia to trust a Russian Linux distro.

That screenshot of its security features in the first post may look convincing, but what security features claimed there are not in most other non-Russian distros?

 

[hacktheworld]

I installed Astra Linux CE "Orel" 2.12.46 and my experience is positive: Astra Linux is an efficient and robust operating system, but not very flexible as you cannot install all the Apps you want.
Astra Linux already has the essential Apps you need installed, (you can't install either flatpak or snap).
Some pre-installed Apps are a bit outdated, but everything works fine and the security level of the operating system is good.

 

[Tomedi]

... and the security level of the operating system is good.

Can you elaborate on that? Is it more secure than other Debian based distros? Outdated pre-installed apps, no option to install what you wish... What level of security can justify this?

 

[Tomedi]

I installed Astra Linux...

Looks like this is an official distro used by Russian administration and army. My advice? Forget about it. It's not for you.

 

[wizardfromoz]

@Tomedi , you are new here or you would know what many others know, so have a read of this from the Off Topic subforum

https://linux.org/threads/off-topic-rules-please-read-before-you-first-post.23879/

While we have not written that into the Rules (yet), its policy is applied across the forum.

No politics.

TIA

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz

 

[Tomedi]

Politics??? My post has nothing to do with politics. This distro seems to be created/maintained for a specific use. Doesn't really matter what country is behind it. It's just not a good option for a random person to use. I would say exactly the same if it was developed for specific use in any country/city/corporation/university.

I know the rules and respect them. Go to my welcome thread and check what my nationality is. Believe me, if i decided to talk politics in this thread, it would look different.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

and the security level of the operating system is good.

Have you read wikipedia?

There are two available editions of the OS: the main one is called "Special Edition" and the other one is called "Common Edition".The main differences between the two are the fact that the former is paid, while the latter is free

the former has a security certification and provides 3 levels of OS security (which are named after Russian cities and which from the lowest to the highest are: Oryol, Voronezh and Smolensk), while the latter doesn't have the security certification and only provides the lowest level of OS security (Oryol)

Astra Linux - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Forget about security unless you pay, or did you pay to have 3 levels of security?
The free edition exists only to promote the distro but is otherwise very unlikely like the one that Russian government and their agencies are using.

 

[hacktheworld]

Have you read wikipedia?

Astra Linux - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I read the features of Astra Linux SE directly on the official website of Astra LInux. I installed Astra Linux CE "Orel" 2.12.46 on my computer, although I would have liked to install Astra Linux SE which has extra security features, (such as the three different levels of security settings) but it is not available to any user.
The security level of Astra Linux CE "Orel" is good even if it is absolutely not comparable to the one offered by the SE version.

 

[Tomedi]

The security level of Astra Linux CE "Orel" is good...

Have you tested it (the security level) or you just...

... read the features of Astra Linux SE directly on the official website of Astra LInux.

?

 

[hacktheworld]

Have you tested it (the security level) or you just...



?

You cannot expect the security of Astra CE (Common Edition) to be at the level of Astra Linux SE.

?

Операционная система Astra Linux Desktop | «Группа Астра»

Astra Linux Desktop — не имеющая аналогов сертифицированная ОС со встроенными средствами защиты информации (СЗИ) для стабильных и безопасных ИТ-инфраструктур любого масштаба и бесперебойной работы с данными любой степени конфиденциальности

astra.ru

 

[Tomedi]

You cannot expect the security of Astra CE (Common Edition) to be at the level of Astra Linux SE.

So, what it the security level of Astra CE? How does it compare to other Debian based distros?

 

[hacktheworld]

Looks like this is an official distro used by Russian administration and army. My advice? Forget about it. It's not for you.

From what you wrote, it is clear that you are prejudiced about this distribution just because it is Russian.

 

[Brickwizard]

We all know Linux is inherently more secure than other OS's
Whether or not, a distribution constructed in a closed society is any less secure than one from an open society based on your ideology is not an acceptable argument,
Remember whatever operating system you use, they all suffer from the same major security defect, and that is the component between the keypad and screen.

And remember, It is us the members who hold the responsibility to maintain the forum's reputation for friendliness and helpfulness by the tone of our post, please avoid being confrontational in your post.

 

[Tomedi]

From what you wrote, it is clear that you are prejudiced about this distribution just because it is Russian.

So, you still can't explain how its level of security compares to other Debian based distros. And what would justify this:

Astra Linux is an efficient and robust operating system, but not very flexible as you cannot install all the Apps you want.
Astra Linux already has the essential Apps you need installed, (you can't install either flatpak or snap).
Some pre-installed Apps are a bit outdated, but everything works fine and the security level of the operating system is good.

Pre-installed outdated apps, not an option to install whatever you wish, no flexibilty. Instead, it's offering good security levels - something that every serious Linux distro provides.