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OpenBSD

FREE, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system.

OpenBSD

OpenBSD Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether OpenBSD is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • OpenBSD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-10-17

Features & Specs

  1. Security

    OpenBSD is known for its focus on security. It undergoes rigorous code auditing, has a proactive security approach, and includes features like secure memory management and privilege separation.

  2. Stability

    The operating system is well-known for its stability and reliability, due to its minimalist approach and an emphasis on creating a robust user experience.

  3. Documentation

    OpenBSD provides comprehensive and thorough documentation, making it easier for users to understand and utilize its features effectively.

  4. Cryptography

    The system includes strong cryptography and has been a pioneer in developing and implementing various cryptographic techniques and software.

  5. Simplicity

    OpenBSD focuses on simplicity in its design and functionality, reducing unnecessary complexities and streamlining the user experience.

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Videos

Intro to most secure OS OpenBSD with sexiest Manjaro DeepIn Linux

Why I Switched From Arch Linux to OpenBSD

Product Review - OpenBSD 6.3

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about OpenBSD and what they use it for.
  • Can't import bookmarks in Firefox
    Thank you. I appreciate the answer. I was grokking the openbsd.org website for quite a while and didn't see anything like this. Source: over 2 years ago
  • fw_update: yes//SHA256.sig: No such file or directory
    I seem to be able to ping openbsd.org, as I see 64 bytes from... continuously. However, when I try to install software such as doas pkg_add vim I get Can't find vim. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Configuring a simple router with OpenBSD
    OpenBSD is a security-first Unix-like operating system belonging to the BSD family of operating systems. It is best known for the OpenSSH project founded in 1999 under the OpenBSD umbrella which has garnered widespread adoption beyond OpenBSD, including the infamous Linux operating system and even Microsoft Windows (since Windows 10). - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
  • Why Artix?
    There are Gentoo variants with precompiled binary packages and backward compatibility. Redcore , Calculate, Pentoo, Funtoo and others. By OpenBSD I mean. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Help, Installing OpenBSD for first time.
    (unable to get list from openbsd.org, but that is OK). Source: over 3 years ago
  • OpenBSD Full Disk Encryption in 2022
    This suprises me - everything you need to get started can be found at openbsd.org, click on 'FAQ'. Source: about 4 years ago
  • aarch64 I2C detection problems on rpi4 hardware.
    I know the rule, try to research first on man pages, openbsd.org, ect, and ask people as for the last resort. Unfortunately, I have exhausted all resources online that I could find. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Is openbsd.org down?
    $ curl https://openbsd.org Curl: (7) Failed to connect to openbsd.org port 443 after 178 ms: Connection refused. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • How often are you thanked for the job you do?
    Believe it or not, a lot of the knowledge is freely available or dirt cheap. For example, OpenBSD provides a FAQ with detailed installation instructions. Every program that comes with the operating system has documentation available offline. If you have spare hardware around or know how to set up a virtual machine, you can teach yourself Unix and programming in your spare time. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Forking(?) OpenBSD
    So if for example, all of openbsd.org got deleted one day, there would still be a working infrastructure available. Also of course any improvements made on the local infrastructure would be shared with the larger community. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • World's Most Secure Rails App -- OpenBSD's pledge(2) and unveil(2)
    OpenBSD is by far my favorite operating system. Known as the world's most secure OS by default, it features its own super-simplified and ultra-secure webserver/firewall/reverse proxy/mailer daemon/TLS suite etc. Which are all supereasy to use. If you think Linux is cool, wait till you try this. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Any suckless OS?
    The OS A. Garbe have used, also a very simple and more or less "sucklessy": OpenBSD. Source: about 5 years ago
  • NetBSD9.1 nginx http2 uhm?!?
    Please shut down netbsd, remove the website redirect the domains to openbsd.org or freebsd.org or even shit.com is better to save others some time. Source: about 5 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of OpenBSD

OpenBSD, an operating system renowned for its robust security features, attracts a varied set of opinions across technical communities. This discussion reflects an intersection of recognition for its security capabilities as well as challenges stemming from its manual configuration requirements.

First, the system is famously acknowledged for its security-centric design. This focus on security, which is central to OpenBSD's appeal, positions it as a leader amongst operating systems in the sector. Its developers prioritize security enhancements and integrate these into the system repeatedly. A notable mention within the OpenBSD ecosystem is the OpenSSH project, evidencing OpenBSD's influence beyond just its platform, with adoption extending into other operating systems, including Linux and Microsoft Windows. Its features such as pledge(2) and unveil(2) are underscored as foundational for creating secure applications on this platform.

However, OpenBSD is not without its hurdles, particularly in usability concerns. The absence of a graphical user interface for configuration, a common point of contention, mandates manual configurations, which some users find daunting. Incorrect settings can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities, a situation highlighted in discussions about using OpenBSD as a router. This operational complexity can dissuade new or less technically inclined users from adopting OpenBSD, signaling a barrier in its accessibility compared to other more user-friendly alternatives like Ubuntu.

On the documentation and resource front, OpenBSD's thorough documentation does draw commendations. The community points to comprehensive guides and FAQs available at its official website as valuable resources that facilitate learning and problem-solving for users. This exhaustive documentation supports OpenBSD's perception as an educational tool for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Unix and programming.

Nevertheless, some users report encountering technical issues such as difficulties in accessing the OpenBSD website and challenges with software installations (e.g., "Can't find vim"), illustrating an area of improvement in server reliability and user experience. These experiences can affect public opinion, potentially impacting adoption rates among prospective users who prioritize seamlessness and server availability.

Ultimately, OpenBSD is a powerful system lauded for its unmatched commitment to security, a factor that endears it to security-conscious individuals and organizations. Yet, the demands it places on users in terms of manual configuration and system complexity mean it is better suited to those with existing technical expertise and a specific need for high-security environments. While it represents a niche offering, its influence across different sectors and its respected position within the open-source community remain robust and well-regarded.

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Is OpenBSD good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss OpenBSD here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.