How to Set Up Secure Browsing with Cinnamon Desktop on Linux Mint

Linux Mint is one of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its user-friendly interface and robust security features. The Cinnamon Desktop environment enhances this experience with a sleek design and smooth performance. However, securing your online browsing experience is essential to protect your personal information and maintain privacy. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up secure browsing on Linux Mint with the Cinnamon Desktop.

1. Keep Your System Updated

Before diving into browser-specific security settings, ensure your Linux Mint system is up to date. Security patches and updates help protect against vulnerabilities and malware.

Steps to Update Your System:

1. Open the Terminal (Press Ctrl + Alt + T)

2. Run the following commands:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
   

3. Reboot your system if required:

   sudo reboot
   

Keeping your system updated ensures that your web browser and security settings remain in sync with the latest security patches.

2. Choose a Secure Web Browser

Linux Mint comes with Mozilla Firefox as the default browser, which is a solid choice for security and privacy. However, there are other alternatives, each with its own strengths:

• Mozilla Firefox (Recommended): Strong privacy features, supports numerous security extensions.
• Brave Browser: Built-in ad-blocker and tracker blocker.
• Tor Browser: Best for anonymity but slower performance.
• Chromium: Open-source version of Chrome with improved privacy settings.

Installing a Secure Browser

If you want to install an additional browser like Brave or Tor, use the following commands:

• Brave Browser

  sudo apt install brave-browser
  

• Tor Browser

  sudo apt install torbrowser-launcher
  

3. Harden Browser Security Settings

Once you have chosen your browser, configure its security settings for optimal protection.

Mozilla Firefox Security Settings

1. Enable Enhanced Tracking Protection

   • Open Firefox and go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
   • Set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Strict.

2. Disable Telemetry

   • In Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down to Firefox Data Collection and Use and uncheck all options.

3. Use Secure DNS Over HTTPS

   • Go to Settings > General > Network Settings.
   • Click Settings and enable Enable DNS over HTTPS.
   • Choose a trusted provider such as Cloudflare or NextDNS.

Brave Browser Security Settings

1. Enable Shields

   • Open Settings > Shields and turn on features like ad-blocking, script blocking, and fingerprinting protection.

2. Use Secure DNS

   • Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Security and enable Use secure DNS.

4. Install Privacy-Focused Extensions

Adding security extensions enhances protection against trackers, malware, and unwanted ads.

Recommended Browser Extensions:

• uBlock Origin: Blocks ads and trackers efficiently.
• HTTPS Everywhere: Forces websites to use encrypted HTTPS connections.
• Privacy Badger: Automatically learns and blocks trackers.
• NoScript (Firefox only): Blocks JavaScript execution on unknown sites.
• Cookie AutoDelete: Deletes cookies when you close a tab.

To install these extensions in Firefox:

1. Open Firefox and go to Add-ons (about:addons).
2. Search for the desired extension and install it.

For Brave and Chromium-based browsers:

1. Open the Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for the extension and install it.

5. Use a Secure and Private Search Engine

Most mainstream search engines, like Google, track and profile users. Consider switching to a privacy-focused search engine:

• DuckDuckGo: No tracking and good search results.
• Startpage: Google results without tracking.
• Qwant: EU-based with strong privacy laws.

To set a private search engine in Firefox:

1. Go to Settings > Search.
2. Under Default Search Engine, choose DuckDuckGo or another secure alternative.

For Brave and Chromium:

1. Go to Settings > Search Engine.
2. Select a private search engine from the list.

6. Enable a Firewall and Configure Network Security

A firewall adds an extra layer of protection by controlling incoming and outgoing connections.

Enable UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall)

1. Open the Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T).

2. Enable the firewall:

   sudo ufw enable
   

3. Check the firewall status:

   sudo ufw status
   

4. To allow only necessary connections, you can configure rules, such as:

   sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
   sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
   

7. Use a VPN for Secure Browsing

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic, preventing ISPs and attackers from snooping on your activities.

Recommended VPN Services:

• ProtonVPN (Free and Paid)
• Mullvad (Strong privacy focus)
• ExpressVPN (Premium option)

Installing ProtonVPN on Linux Mint

1. Install ProtonVPN CLI:

   sudo apt install protonvpn-cli
   

2. Log in and connect:

   protonvpn connect
   

8. Enable AppArmor for Extra Protection

AppArmor helps limit the capabilities of applications, including browsers, reducing the impact of potential security breaches.

Enable and Configure AppArmor

1. Check AppArmor status:

   sudo aa-status
   

2. If not active, enable it:

   sudo systemctl enable apparmor
   sudo systemctl start apparmor
   

9. Regularly Clear Cache and Cookies

Cookies and cached data can track your online behavior. Configure your browser to clear them regularly:

• In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security, under Cookies and Site Data, enable Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.
• In Brave, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data and set automatic deletion preferences.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can significantly improve your online security while using Linux Mint with the Cinnamon Desktop. Keeping your system updated, using a secure browser, installing privacy-focused extensions, enabling a firewall, and using a VPN are essential measures. By implementing these security best practices, you can enjoy a safer and more private browsing experience on Linux Mint.

Would you like additional recommendations on advanced security setups? Let us know in the comments!