I do have a kill switch configuration set with the VPN. I will test it, again thank you for the simplified explanation. It is quite clear in my head now and I will test accordingly.

Could you please explain a little more on what X11 and wayland are? My current level of understanding is just that I am running the cinnamon desktop environment. How can I find out the information you are looking for? Also, why is it that going into ctrl+alt+f1 and then ctrl+alt+f7 to go back, resolve the issue? Thanks for your reply.

I am new to linux, I chose mint due to its popularity and noted stability. I just wanted an OS that worked for me not against me that was beginner friendly for a user moving from windows 10. I have been on it for a while now, encountered the odd issue (facing a tricky one now) but working through them. I chose popularity because I thought if I encounter issues, I am more likely to find answers. Also, it must be popular for a reason.

Just a new linux user agreeing with what you have to say.

Excellent explanation, thank you very much. Since I am using a VPN configuration on the host computer, am I correct in thinking NAT is the option I want if I want all traffic routed through that? It seems to function that way at the moment (checking IP on speedtest). If I recall, I had it configured that way on virtualbox. I want everything to network wise to be piped through the host first so if in the future I have custom firewall rules etc on the host, those are in place from the sounds of it using NAT correct?

Thanks again.

I am a privacy focused individual. I have researched that command and confirmed sensitive information such as MAC addresses are included. I see that the “z” flag omits this information. Would inxi -Fxxz be acceptable. Still it reveals much of my hardware which to be honest I am uncomfortable with. Thank you for your response though.

This sounds like a good idea. Thank you for taking the time.

Thank you. What is the difference between NAT and bridge in simple terms?

This is something I’ll have to look into further as I do not fully understand the whole concept of what is happening when running windows games under linux and how something is repacked to only work on linux. Thank you though.

Yeah see what you think. They look good on the surface but some elements like their encrypted email hosting are still in development.

What about firejail vs a separate limited user account?

Thank you, that is something to consider. What are your thoughts on sandboxing vs using a user with no privileges?

When you say repacks, are these repacks of files designed to be used in windows with pre-installed cracks etc or is it more specifically a repack designed to be run under linux?

Sounds like a good idea, thank you for the suggestion.

What are your thoughts on https://incognet.io/?

The systems that allow windows games to run on linux also allow for windows malware to run on linux. That is the threat I am trying to avoid.

Running pirated games in the manner you are describing is risky as a result, even on linux.

I shall look into your other suggestions though, thank you for taking the time.

Thank you. I appreciate your honesty. I too share the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality.

I am naturally tentative about revealing too much personal information on the internet so am reserved in revealing too much information, contrary to the masses of course who seem all to eager to divulge. I can say that I have isolated myself over the years, I am sure you can understand social demand to do so given your honesty.

Real people, real fears, so complex. So I am gravitating towards the idea of the relative anonymity of the internet (such that it is at the moment) to test the waters. Get things wrong, make mistakes, learn from them, evolve. From my limited experience, most people are hard to get along with. Most are without patience and understanding. The “if I can do it / get it, then they should be able to also. If they cannot, it is their problem” is all too prevalent. This community increases the odds of finding individuals such as yourself that appear to break this norm, at least that was my hope. I too believe I fit into this category, taking the time and patience to understand people and the ever present desire to be of use, to help.

I understand there is a DM function on lemmy, but I do not yet understand the etiquette so I’ll just ask, would you be OK with me DM’ing you? If not, I shall of course respect that. I do not wish to impose or make anyone feel uncomfortable. I do not know how to make friends on the internet, in general really. Sure there have been people over the years but I have yet to be able to connect the way I see others do. I’m at a point in my life where I am trying to figure out why and if it is even possible. So, this is me asking would you like to talk further without everything being on the public ledger?

I do not wish to isolate any more, I am beginning to recognise social needs that need to be fulfilled in order to be happier, it is just that I find it very, very hard to just be myself around others. Most of the time I put others’ needs above my own and I recognise that after a while that becomes self destructive. I shan’t go into to much more information publicly, those privacy threads are starting to pull at me.

You interest me as a person, identified simply by the few responses I have seen from you. Similarities I see in myself perhaps eluding to social compatibility. I should like to explore that more. Forgive me if this all sounds a little analytical / weird, this is just me being honest in my natural way.

I shall most likely be doing so. It is a means of owning the original install files for the game. From a privacy standpoint, still not as good as buying it in a shop with cash but it is most certainly a step in the right direction. There was a time when I pirated simply because I wanted to try things out for free when demos became less popular. Then it led to why bother buying it now. However, as I have matured I am happy, moreover I want to pay for something I have tried and enjoyed to support the creator so long as I have ownership and can do with it what I like. I do not want to support the conditional ownership systems that are developing, telling me how I may use something that I have purchased. Or that I do not truly own it such as is the case with most digital “purchases”.

You seem very relatable in several areas I have identified, like minded and able to comprehend my point of view. Able to explain without condescension. I am new to socialising online (in general really, trying to step out of my shell). I found the fediverse on my travels to escape big tech, see my original post here. If you do not mind sharing your thoughts, where would you recommend looking for someone socially awkward, very concerned over privacy but not to the point where that becomes the central point of discussion as it can be a little triggering, a place to discuss things intellectually yet open and respectfully of one another?

I am just curious to hear your thoughts on this point. Thanks.

Thank you for your response.

Apologies on missing that it was you that mentioned those sites, new to lemmy and viewing through the unread messages area where it only shows the current comment, not the thread. I am struggling to see something I can click to bring the message up in a thread so I can see the message flow.

Thank you for the clues, I shall disappear down a rabbithole some time following your breadcrumbs.

Thank you, your responses have been most helpful.

Yup, I used to check the signature / hash for GOG installers in windows. I’ll have to look into how to do it in linux.

I’ll look into qemu/kvm. Virt-manager rings a bell. Thanks, I’ll look into all of that.

Do you have any site recommendations for clean steam / gog files?

Thank you for your reply, this sounds on track to what I am looking for.

Very interesting on the clean file + emulator route. Sounds like a similar line of thinking to my signed / hash checked GOG installer thoughts.

Regarding using a VM with a GPU passthrough, what software would you recommend for doing this with? I am very familiar with virtualbox and do prefer a GUI though I recognise I will probably have to adapt in order to get what I want.

Thanks again.