Linux Distros for Everyone: Community, Desktop, Hardcore Geek...

Browse the full list of Linux distributions, or jump to the category based on the following list: Commercial, Community, Compact, Desktop, Graphics and Music, Hardcore Geek, Hardware Oriented, Live, Education, Philosophically Free, Security, Miscellaneous.

Security-Oriented Distros

GNU/Linux has always been more popular on the server than the desktop. For this reason, it's unsurprising that many distributions cater to the needs of sysadmins rather than end-users, or that security-minded distros should be among the most successful commercial efforts involving the operating system.

Astaro: A commercial distribution, Astaro is advertised as an all-in-one security tool, with perimeter security as well as a firewall and anti-virus and anti-spam protection.

Clark Connect:: Clark Connect is intended as a file, printer or Internet server. In addition to intrusion detection and anti-spam and anti-virus protection, it also includes tools for monitoring and for controlling Internet use policies, such as limiting file-sharing and bandwidth use.

Devil-Linux:: A distribution intended as a server or a firewall, Devil Linux runs from a CD and a write-protected floppy drive with configuration information.

Endian: A complete firewall solution, Endian is based on IPCop.

Engarde Secure Linux: A commercial product built by Guardian Digital, Engarde provides security for networks, the Internet and e-commerce.

IPCop: After starting life as a fork of the SmoothWall firewall, IPCop now includes virus-checking for email, traffic summary and other tools.

Penguin Sleuth Kit: Constructed for computer forensics, the Penguin Sleuth Kit includes forensic software such as Sleuth Kit, Py-Flag, John the Ripper and snort, as well as system admin tools such as qtparted.