Qubes OS leverages xen-based virtualization to allow for the creation and management of isolated virtual machines called qubes. Qubes, which are implemented as virtual machines (VMs), have specific :
– Purposes : with a predefined set of one or many isolated applications, for personal or professional projects, to manage the network stack, the firewall, or to fulfill other user-defined purposes.
– Natures : full-fledged or stripped-down virtual machines which are based on popular operating systems such as Fedora, Debian or Windows.
– Levels of trust : from complete to non-existent. All windows are displayed in a unified desktop environment with unforgeable colored window borders so different security levels are easily identifiable.