New Member Looking for Direction

1

Just Starting to Learn Linux (Longtime Windows User)

Background:
I’ve been a Windows user for years, but now I’m diving into Linux. My journey began after my devices—computers, networks, and even phones—were compromised. My identity and accounts like Google and Outlook have been hacked. While I’ve reported this to all the recommended agencies, I’m not here for advice on that.

Why I’m Here:

  1. Finding Answers Effectively
    I’d love recommendations for websites, forums, or guides to help me find answers to my Linux questions. Any advice on searching efficiently for already-answered questions would be much appreciated. I want to avoid wasting anyone’s time with repetitive queries.

  2. Learning Linux
    I’m learning Linux hands-on: I run into problems, research the error messages, and troubleshoot using resources like Google and ChatGPT. Any tips or methods you’ve found effective for learning Linux, particularly for troubleshooting, would be invaluable.

  3. Distro Recommendations
    I’ve been experimenting with Debian 12.9 and Ubuntu LTS. I understand that most distros are functionally similar, with differences in aesthetics or included apps. If you have distro recommendations, feel free to share your thoughts.

  4. Help with Troubleshooting
    I’m looking for people willing to help me troubleshoot—not just providing commands to run but helping me understand the results and what they mean. I’m happy to communicate via forums, Discord, chat, or voice. If you’d like specific system info, let me know how to extract it from the terminal, and I’ll provide it. Installing ubuntu on my Chromebook right now folders wrong compared to internet.

How I Got Here:
A few years ago, after a divorce, most of my possessions were lost or sold, including an old Windows PC with all my saved account credentials. I started using a Chromebook (Asus 302C) for basic needs like banking and Amazon while using a work PC for blueprints and CAD. When the Chromebook reached its end of life, I installed Linux firmware to extend its usability, following these resources:

Current Issues:

  • On my new laptop, I noticed high RAM usage even at idle. After reinstalling Windows and even using a custom XML file to debloat, I saw strange configurations being applied post-login, even when following Microsoft’s clean install procedures.
  • I started learning Linux with a Kali live USB (mostly for Wireshark) and resolved some issues with ISP traffic.
  • Later, my PC started behaving like it was in a virtual machine. I discovered that the BIOS had an admin password I never set, meaning someone likely accessed it without my knowledge. This led me back to Linux, where I’ve been navigating bootloader and firmware challenges.

My Background:
In the military, I set up and maintained satellite communications, configuring modems and networks for end-user devices. While I have a basic understanding of PC functionality, I appreciate detailed responses or simple explanations, depending on the complexity of the topic.

I’m here to learn, share, and get advice. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

2

Welcome to the forum!

I don’t wanna be a d*ck, but you shouldn’t learn linux, you should learn some basic OpSec. Being on Linux and having the same poor opsec will get your (presumably newer) outlook and google accounts compromised as well.

That’s worrying. I’d stop using that device immediately, try to get into the BIOS and once in, flash a fresh BIOS (personally I’d destroy that device, just to be safe and I wouldn’t want others to get hacked, so selling it would go against my morals, unless I’m fairly certain the threat is gone and the bootkit or bios malware has been removed).

You should watch something like Go Incognito or something. But if you don’t have the time, at the very least burn these key takeaways in your mind:

  • use keepass(xc) or bitwarden to store your credentials (username and password for all websites you register on)
  • never use the same password on the same website
  • preferably use a long randomly generated password and only use a (really long) passphrase for your keepass database
  • if you combine the unique password per website with a free email aliasing service like SimpleLogin you can get more protection by not using the same account login on different websites as well
  • never install random software on your devices (look them up 1st and make sure that if you download them, that they come from reputable sources)
  • if you can afford to, try to separate your confidential data and your daily internet usage (like use your old chromebook for only your banking and filing documents, while the new laptop can be used for junk browsing)

IDK what else to tell you. Well, I could give you more tips, but I want you to memorize and practice these.

As for the linux stuff, I always tell people to pick their poison, while recommending linux mint (and mint debian edition). If one learns the inner workings of linux, it’s not going to be difficult switching things around (particularly when only certain distros support or have guides for certain hardware, e.g. chromebooks).

Old videos from distro tube, lukesmith and zaney with “wm ricing” might help you with linux minimalism journey, which might be helpful for extending the life of your chromebook. I’m still expanding the life of my old toshiba encore with 2gb of RAM by running mxlinux (pretty minimal debian fork) with swayWM on it. I wouldn’t recommend linux newcomers jump into something like sway, but lxqt + openbox is a good start for low-end hardware like chromebooks.