The original post: /r/privacy by /u/juon4 on 2024-10-13 15:14:40.

Hey all,

I’m looking for advice on how to protect messaging apps like Signal, Session (the one with app password protection on startup), Session (Matrix client), IRC, and others. I’m trying to ensure that, in case someone gains access to my device (for whatever reason), they can’t just open these apps by clicking the icon.

I know using virtual machines is one option, and I currently run Whonix and Windows via VirtualBox on Debian. However, it’s not exactly the most convenient solution for daily use, given that I have to start up the VMs each time, and they can be resource-intensive. Something like QubesOS-style compartmentalization is great, but unfortunately, it’s not feasible on older or less powerful hardware.

So, does anyone have suggestions on securing messaging apps while maintaining convenience for everyday use? I’d appreciate any input or ideas!