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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Is using a keyring an insecure thing to do? (feddit.org)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by dieTasse@feddit.org to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I have a hard time understanding the benefits of the keyring (e.g. GNOME keyring). I get the convenience parts - I don't have to enter password for something every time I want to use it (e.g. mounted encrypted drive) and I don't have to create a secret for some background stuff (applications keys). But the problem is, if I understand it correctly, that every application has the same access to my keyring, so, in theory, a malicious application can just read my Signal key and they can just read all my Signal messages right? Is there a point, then, in encrypting e.g. local database (like Signal) if the key to that database is readily available anyway? Any input is welcome. thanks!

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[–] CallMeAl@piefed.zip 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

There are many options to consider. You could use a very short timeout and optimize for low friction unlock, such as with a thumb reader.

My advice, if you have an app you want to use that requires the keyring then use the keyring with it. In general, I say use a password manager.

[–] dieTasse@feddit.org 4 points 4 days ago

The fact is, I am trying to determine what do I want to implement for my application. I am introducing database encryption and was thinking about doing what Signal is doing and not bothering the user and saving the key to the keyring, but now I am not sure if that is a good idea and maybe I will just ask user for a password...