In this article, you will learn:

  • The privacy benefits of VMs.
  • How to install KVM and Virtual Machine Manager on Linux

Understanding VMs

Virtual machines (VMs) are essential tools for maintaining privacy and security in modern computing environments. They allow users to isolate and run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine, providing a secure and controlled space for running sensitive applications or operations. Two popular virtualization technologies are KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) and Oracle Virtual Box.

Benefits of Using Virtual Machines for Privacy

  • Isolation: Each virtual machine can operate independently and is isolated from other machines, providing a higher level of security and privacy. This isolation prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data and reduces the risk of malware infection.

  • Resource Sharing: Multiple users can access the same VM simultaneously without compromising privacy or security. This feature makes VMs suitable for collaborative projects where sensitive information needs to be protected.

  • Portability: Virtual machines can be transferred between different platforms or hardware configurations, allowing users to maintain their privacy settings across various devices.

  • Deletion or Destruction of Data: After completing a project or experiment, if done correctly administrators can delete or destroy the VMs and their associated data, ensuring that no traces of the data remain on the physical machine.

  • Compatibility: VMs enable users to run various operating systems side by side, allowing them to access resources and services that may not be available on their primary system.

  • Control: Users can tightly control the resources allocated to each VM, such as CPU, memory, and network bandwidth and access, ensuring optimal performance and security.

While VMs offer many benefits users must still be cautious about their behaviors, the software they install, and the information they share while using a VM. Additionally, proper configuration and maintenance of VMs are crucial to maximizing their privacy potential. By understanding and leveraging the benefits of virtual machines, users can significantly enhance their online privacy, security and or anonymity.

Installation

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing KVM and Virt-Manager, a graphical tool for managing virtual machines.

Prerequisites:

  • A Linux system with a CPU that supports virtualization technology.

For users on operating systems other than Debian-based Linux distributions, the installation steps may vary. In such cases, it’s recommended to refer to the official documentation or resources specific to your OS.

Remember that KVM and virt-manager are primarily designed for Linux environments, so installing them on non-Linux operating systems may require additional software or virtualization solutions. Check the official documentation or relevant forums for guidance on installing KVM and virt-manager on your specific OS.

Verify Virtualization Support

Before we begin, let’s ensure your CPU supports virtualization. Open a terminal and run the following command:

egrep -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo

If the command returns a number greater than 0, your CPU supports virtualization.

Install KVM

For Debian and Ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils

Start and enable the libvirtd service:

sudo systemctl enable libvirtd
sudo systemctl start libvirtd

Add your user to the libvirt and kvm groups:

sudo usermod -aG libvirt $(whoami)
sudo usermod -aG kvm $(whoami)

Log out and back in for the group changes to take effect.

Install Virt-Manager

This graphical tool will allow you to create, configure, and manage virtual machines on your Debian system using KVM very much like Virtual Box. It helps you manage VMs without needing to type commands. You can start, stop, or clone VMs with a click.

To install the virt-manager GUI tool, run the following command:

sudo apt install -y virt-manager

You can start virt-manager from the application menu or via the terminal:

virt-manager

This graphical tool will allow you to create, configure, and manage virtual machines on your Linux system using KVM.

virt-manager

virt-manager

With KVM and virt-manager successfully installed on your Linux system, you have a powerful virtualization platform at your disposal. From here, you can take various actions, such as:

  • Installing an Operating System from an ISO: Use virt-manager to create and configure virtual machines and install different operating systems by booting from ISO images. Simply follow the virt-manager wizard to set up your VM and choose the ISO file of your desired OS.

  • Exploring Advanced Virtualization Scenarios: You can experiment with more advanced virtualization setups, like creating virtual networks, managing storage, and optimizing virtual machine settings for your specific needs.

  • Configuring Whonix for Enhanced Privacy: If you’re interested in enhancing your online privacy and anonymity, consider setting up Whonix on KVM. Whonix routes your internet traffic through the Tor network, providing robust privacy features. However, this is a more involved process and may require a separate guide, which we will cover later.

These next steps open up a world of possibilities. Feel free to explore and experiment with different virtual machine configurations and use cases.