Communication

There are several applications for direct communication in the distribution. Besides the Signal messaging client, which supports telephony and messaging over the Internet and excels with end-to-end encryption using the free Signal protocol, Riot Messenger (recently renamed Element) is also in place. It also offers end-to-end encryption and supports various types of computer-supported communication using the Matrix protocol.

The still quite new Jami instant messenger takes a decentralized approach and does not require either a server or registration with a provider. Thanks to support for the SIP protocol, the software not only replaces messengers like WhatsApp, but it is also suitable as a VoIP telephony application à la Skype.

The program works with end-to-end encryption and stores data only on the participating computers, which rules out spying. For remote desktop applications, MOFO also comes with the Remmina RDP client, which also supports VNC or NX connections.

Filesystem

Through its use of InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) [6], MOFO Linux supports an innovative peer-to-peer filesystem where the available peers receive and pass on data in a similar way to BitTorrent-based protocols. This is why DDoS attacks, which are often used to force conventional websites off the Internet do not affect IPFS connections. Distributed content delivery also saves transmission volume.

You can launch IPFS via the IPFS Desktop entry in the Internet menu. The routine first downloads an AppImage off the web and integrates it into the operating system. The node activity is then visualized by a blue cube symbol in the panel.

Since installing the software also sets up a corresponding Firefox add-on, the node's activities can be monitored in your browser. This is also where you can access graphics for node utilization and the approximate locations of the currently active nodes on a world map via the Open WebUI option (Figure 3).

Figure 3: The IPFS peer-to-peer filesystem distributes files worldwide and thus protects them against DDoS attacks, among other things.

Other Features

MOFO offers additional applications for analyzing and configuring local data media. This includes, above all, tools for the use of data carriers and mass storage devices. In addition to GParted, which is used for partitioning mass storage devices, the graphical Disk Usage Analyzer tool provides detailed information about their allocation.

BleachBit (Figure 4), which is preinstalled in one version for users and one for administrators, helps you to safely dispose of obsolete data such as temporary files or configuration directories of deleted applications. The MATE system monitor and a logfile viewer are used to display logfiles, which in case of irregularities or problems often provide clues as to their cause.

Figure 4: BleachBit clears obsolete data from mass storage devices.

MOFO's Accessories menu also contains a GUI tool for convenient encryption of folders and files in the form of the TrueCrypt fork VeraCrypt. To help users with this, the software creates encrypted containers to which you copy the data to be backed up.