







Introduction [ edit ]

Whonix ™ aims to preserve privacy and anonymity by helping users run applications anonymously. A web browser, IRC client, office suite, and more come pre-configured with security in mind.

Whonix ™ is a complete operating system with advanced security and anonymity features [archive]. It consists of two virtual machines -- Whonix-Gateway ™ and Whonix-Workstation ™ -- which are designed to be used on a host operating system (OS). The host OS supporting Whonix ™ is usually the one installed on the user's computer, but OSes installed on external drives will also work. Users choose the preferred Whonix ™ configuration and may use either a Type I hypervisor (Qubes-Whonix ™), or a Type II hypervisor like KVM and Virtualbox.

Whonix ™ is Freedom Software and is based on Kicksecure ™ (security-focused Linux Distribution), Tor [1], Debian GNU/Linux [2], and the principle of security by isolation.

Security by Isolation [ edit ]

Whonix ™ is divided into two VMs: Whonix-Workstation ™ for work activities and Whonix-Gateway ™ to enforce all Internet traffic through the Tor network. [3] This security by isolation configuration averts many threats posed by malware, misbehaving applications, and user error.

Figure: Whonix ™ Operating System Design

Online Anonymity via Tor [ edit ]

Whonix ™ relies on the Tor network to protect a user's anonymity online; all connections are forced through Tor or otherwise blocked. Tor helps to protect users by bouncing communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world. Without advanced, end-to-end, netflow correlation attacks, anybody watching a user's Internet connection cannot easily determine the sites visited, and those sites cannot learn the user's physical location. [4]

To learn more about Tor, read the official documentation on the Tor website [archive]:

Based on Debian [ edit ]

Tip: Since Ubuntu is a Debian derivative, online help for Ubuntu most often works for Whonix ™.

In oversimplified terms, Whonix ™ is just a collection of configuration files and scripts. Whonix ™ is not a stripped down version of Debian; anything possible in "vanilla" Debian GNU/Linux can be replicated in Whonix ™. Likewise, most problems and questions can be solved in the same way. For example: "How do I install VLC Media Player on Whonix ™?" -- "The same way as in Debian apt-get install vlc . Whonix ™ does not break anything, limit functionality, or prevent installation of compatible software.

Whonix Version [ edit ]

Each Whonix ™ release is based on a particular version of Debian:

Whonix ™ version Debian Version Debian Codename Whonix ™ 15.0.1.5.1 10 buster [archive]

Users can manually check the Whonix ™ version at any time by following this step.

Release Schedule [ edit ]

Note that Whonix ™ does not have a fixed release schedule. A new stable release only becomes available when it is deemed ready. Interested users can query the issue tracker [5] and release notes to track developer progress. Stay Tuned.

Support Schedule [ edit ]

Debian Hosts [ edit ]

New Debian Release

One month after a new stable version of Debian is released, Whonix ™ VMs may no longer be supported on any older version of Debian. All users need to upgrade the Debian platform promptly after the deprecation notice in order to use Whonix ™ safely.

New Whonix ™ Release

One month after a new stable version of Whonix is released, older versions will no longer be supported. All users need to upgrade the Whonix ™ platform promptly in order to remain safe.

Deprecation Notices

The deprecation notice is provided at least one month in advance and posted in the Whonix ™ News forum [archive]. Stay Tuned! All users need to upgrade the respective platform promptly in order to remain safe. [6]

Debian-based and Other Hosts [ edit ]

As per Debian Hosts.

Windows Hosts [ edit ]

The support schedule is mostly undefined at present, but likely to mirror Debian Hosts.

Qubes Hosts [ edit ]

Quote Qubes-Whonix ™ version support policy [archive]:

Whonix ™ TemplateVMs are supported by our partner, the Whonix ™ Project. The Whonix ™ Project has set its own support policy for Whonix ™ TemplateVMs in Qubes. This policy requires Whonix ™ TemplateVM users to stay reasonably close to the cutting edge by upgrading to new stable versions of Qubes OS and Whonix ™ TemplateVMs within a month of their respective releases. To be precise: One month after a new stable version of Qubes OS is released, Whonix ™ TemplateVMs will no longer be supported on any older version of Qubes OS. This means that users who wish to continue using Whonix ™ TemplateVMs on Qubes must always upgrade to the latest stable Qubes OS version within one month of its release.

One month after new stable versions of Whonix ™ TemplateVMs are released, older versions of Whonix ™ TemplateVMs will no longer be supported. This means that users who wish to continue using Whonix ™ TemplateVMs on Qubes must always upgrade to the latest stable Whonix ™ TemplateVM versions within one month of their release. We aim to announce both types of events one month in advance in order to remind users to upgrade.

Summary [ edit ]

Table: Whonix ™ Goals, Design and Limitations

Category Description Whonix ™ is A free and open operating system.



An anti-censorship tool.



The first step among many in hiding a user's identity. Whonix ™ Helps to Disguise a user's IP address.



Prevent ISP spying.



Prevent websites from identifying the user.



Prevent malware from identifying the user.



Circumvent censorship. Whonix ™ is not A one-click anonymization solution.

Next Steps [ edit ]

Learning more about Whonix ™ is the best way to determine whether it is a suitable solution in your personal circumstances. The following chapters are recommended:

The Warning page to understand the security limitations of Whonix ™ and Tor.

Further information about Whonix ™ Features.

The implied Trust placed in Whonix ™ when it is used.

The Security Guide, Advanced Security Guide and Design chapters detailing the Whonix ™ specifications, threat model and implementation.

Other relevant Documentation explaining how to use Whonix ™ safely.

License [ edit ]

Whonix ™ About wiki page Copyright (C) Amnesia <amnesia at boum dot org>

Whonix ™ About wiki page Copyright (C) 2012 - 2020 ENCRYPTED SUPPORT LP <adrelanos@whonix.org> This program comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details see the wiki source code.

This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it under certain conditions; see the wiki source code for details.

Gratitude is expressed to JonDos [archive] for permission [archive] to use material from their website. (w [archive]) (w [archive]) [1] The "Summary of what Whonix ™ is" chapter of the Whonix ™ About wiki page contains content from the JonDonym documentation Features [archive] page.



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This is a wiki. Want to improve this page? Help is welcome and volunteer contributions are happily considered! Read, understand and agree to Conditions for Contributions to Whonix ™, then Edit! Edits are held for moderation. Policy of Whonix Website and Whonix Chat and Policy On Nonfreedom Software applies.

Copyright (C) 2012 - 2020 ENCRYPTED SUPPORT LP. Whonix ™ is a trademark. Whonix ™ is a licensee [archive] of the Open Invention Network [archive]. Unless otherwise noted, the content of this page is copyrighted and licensed under the same Freedom Software license as Whonix ™ itself. (Why?)

Whonix ™ is a derivative of and not affiliated with Debian [archive]. Debian is a registered trademark [archive] owned by Software in the Public Interest, Inc [archive].

Whonix ™ is produced independently from the Tor® [archive] anonymity software and carries no guarantee from The Tor Project [archive] about quality, suitability or anything else.