I run a small business and would like to use Linux for its free naturet. Is there a way to lock down linux using software or a whole distro that would prevent people from doing pretty much anything other than opening a web browser similar to Windows or ChromeOS. I would use ChromeOS, had it not been made by Google as I am not super keen on using something made by big tech.
Edit: This would be for employees and is exclusively about endpoint security, mot enforcing staying on task.
Would this locked-down distro be used by customers or by employees? If it is being used by employees, there is no faster way to be hated than putting unnecessary restrictions on their logins. You don’t want that kind of workplace.
I simply do this:
Make sure they don’t get sudo/root privileges.
Remote mount their home directories (nfs).
Don’t add any restrictions beyond that. It is a waste of time and money.
Control the rest through company policy, usually clauses under the ‘Misuse of company network’ section.
Who cares if employees are browsing tik-tok or whatever if they’ve done all their work? That’s a work-allocation issue. If they haven’t done all their work then that’s already a solved problem. Either motivate them or performance manage them slowly towards the door.
Who cares if they want to install xyz software [in their home directory]? Chances are it’ll be a free boost for performance and/or morale.
This /really/ depends on your threat model. “xyz software in their home directory” could easily be “exfil tool that uploads all data employee X has access too, disguised as a meme template generator”