How to Install and Use Firejail on Linux

Firejail is a security tool that enables users to sandbox applications on a Linux system. Sandboxing is a technique used to isolate applications from one another and the underlying operating system, thus enhancing security and privacy. In this article, we will guide you on how to install and use Firejail on a Linux system.

Installation:

Firejail is available in the repositories of most popular Linux distributions, so you can easily install it using the package manager of your distribution. For example, on Debian-based systems like Ubuntu, you can install Firejail using the following command:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install firejail

For Fedora, you can install Firejail using the following command:

sudo dnf install firejail

Usage:

Once Firejail is installed, you can use it to sandbox applications on your system. To do this, simply run the application you want to sandbox using the firejail command. For example, to run the Firefox browser in a sandbox, you can use the following command:

firejail firefox

This will launch Firefox in a sandbox, isolating it from other applications and the operating system. You can also specify additional options to customize the sandbox environment. For example, you can restrict access to the home directory by using the --private option:

firejail --private firefox

This will isolate Firefox in a private filesystem, preventing it from accessing and modifying files in your home directory.

Furthermore, you can create custom profiles for specific applications to further enhance security. Firejail comes with a default set of profiles, but you can create your own profiles to customize the sandbox environment. Profiles are stored in the /etc/firejail directory, and you can create a new profile by copying an existing one and modifying it according to your needs.

In conclusion, Firejail is a powerful tool that can help enhance the security and privacy of your Linux system by sandboxing applications. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily install and use Firejail to sandbox applications on your system.