Basic
Operating System/Distribution
As for my choice of operating system, I currently utilize Arch (btw). While I have explored NixOs to some extent, I find that Arch suits my requirements better.
Terminal
Alacriytty is my terminal of choice due to its GPU acceleration, easy customization, and ability to meet all my terminal needs.
Shell
My preferred shell is zsh. It shares most of the features of bash, while also offering additional plugins for more advanced auto-completion and syntax coloring with the help of Oh My Zsh.
Window Manager/Desktop Environment
I prefer using sway for window management and desktop environment. In the past, I used i3 with i3blocks and rofi, but since I started using Wayland instead of X11, I switched to sway along with waybar and wofi. If you’re interested in seeing my dotfiles, you can find them here.
Text editing and programming
I prefer to use neovim as my text editor. It offers a great editing experience and also helps users get comfortable with the keybinds found in vi and vim, which are commonly used in Unix-based systems.
Web browser
I prefer to use Firefox as my web browser. To improve my privacy and security, I use the arkenfox user.js which helps to reduce tracking. Additionally, I have installed uBlock Origin, Temporary Containers, Bitwarden, and Firefox Multi-Account Containers to enhance the security and functionality of the browser.
Utilities
File manager
I use lf as my file manager. While I previously used ranger, I switched to lf and found it to be more suitable for my daily needs.
Mail client
I use FastMail as my email service. While it doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption, it allows me to use my own domain name for email and create Masked Email addresses to enhance my operational security.
Podcast player
I use Pocket Casts to listen to my podcasts. While I’m interested in exploring Podcasts 2.0, I still prefer Pocket Casts because it’s a user-friendly app and I can easily boost my podcasts with other means without having to use a heavy client on my phone.
RSS reader
For my RSS reading needs, I use Miniflux. It is a lightweight service that I can easily self-host on my Raspberry Pi 3 B+ without having to worry about it.
DNS server
For my DNS server, I prefer using NextDNS. Although I used to use Pi-hole, I currently use the free tier of NextDNS due to lack of available hardware. This cloud service allows me to block trackers, malware, and other nuisances on the domain resolution level, providing better control over my own hardware.
Private VPN
I use Tailscale for my VPN needs as it provides a private and secure solution for connecting to my devices without exposing any internal ports. The WireGuard Noise protocol ensures that my connections are encrypted and secure. Even though I use the free tier, it is sufficient for my requirements. In addition, I pair Tailscale with NextDNS for DNS resolution, which enables me to use it easily wherever I am.
Security
Virtualization
Currently, I am using VMware Workstation Pro as my hypervisor. This software provides me with great performance and allows me to run multiple virtual machines. While I am interested in migrating to a self-hosted server using Proxmox, I haven’t made the switch yet.
Operating System/Distribution
I use Kali Linux as my operating system, mainly because it offers excellent hardware support and includes almost all the tools that I require.
Hardware
Wifi-Antenna
For my Wi-Fi hacking requirements, I use the TP-Link Archer T2U Plus, which is an affordable dual-band antenna that supports monitor mode and packet injection. It fulfills my needs and provides great value for its price. For configuring my TP-Link Archer T2U Plus, I followed this helpful guide to ensure that I set it up properly.