Qubes OS is an open-source operating system that provides security through compartmentalization based on the Xen hypervisor.
It implements a “security by isolation” architecture where user activities are divided into distinct virtual machines, or qubes, which operate independently of one another. This structure ensures that a compromise in one environment—such as a web browser or an email attachment—cannot easily spread to other system components or access sensitive data stored in separate qubes.
The platform features specialized system VMs for networking and storage, disposable VMs for high-risk tasks, and a secure mechanism for inter-VM file transfers and clipboard operations.
