Some questions about Steam Deck

Balokzx

I know that SteamOS is open-source, based in Arch but is the Steam client or Big Picture open-source? If not, should I use which launcher instead of the Steam client ?
Is it true that Epic Games can spy on my collected data even if I use Heroic Games Launcher or download free games on EGS ?
If I use SteamOS, do I only download flatpak software ?
How to use WireGuard on SteamOS ? Usually I use the official VPN app GUI under GNU/Linux
Is Steam Deck BIOS open-source ?

Balokzx

How to encrypt on a micro sd card or external ssd ?

[deleted]

Steam Client is not open-source. I would not use a custom launcher though.
No clue.
You can also use appimages, and the arch repos if you unlock read only mode. (not recommanded)
Use builtin network manager to set up a wg configuration.
Nope.
Kde partition manager, or gnome disks should let you do that.

Balokzx

[deleted]

1 . What do you mean by "custom launcher"? Like Lutris, Bottles... ?

3 . Why is unlocking read-only mode for arch repositories not recommended ?

4 . You mean like this ? It supports Multihop, SOCKS5, Kill Switch and Content Blocking (their own VPN's DNS resolver) ?

6 . I didn't know that there was a GUI application that allows you to encrypt and format on a hard drive like GParted but better. Now I would use KDE Partition Manager instead of GParted. Thank you for discovering me to this KDE application. KDE Partition Manager supports LUKS2?

Aeon

Balokzx

its not recommended as any changes you make to the normally read only system will be reversed by the next update. If you really need some software that you cant get as flatpak or appimage try using a container with distrobox its preinstalled on the deck :-)

I have a Steam Deck but I dont tinker with it i leave it how it come and just play games on it. So I dont know any of the other questions :-)

[deleted]

Balokzx

Yes. Whatever you originally meant by using another launcher. They are all worse privacy-vise than Steam. Epic games being the worst by far.
Because SteamOS is meant to be used as an immutable distro. Updates can revert your changes pr break things.
Yes. However, im not familiar with the UI, i can't answer questions about specific features. Try it out on a live USB enviroment in Kubuntu beforehand if you can.
Yes, it should suppprt LUKS2.

Balokzx

Aeon

How to use Distrobox on SteamOS? Can I install a tar.xz file which contains the application and various files which allow it to run correctly with Distrobox if the application is not available on Flatpak or Appimage ?

Do you only use Steam ? Not GOG, Heroic, Lutris, Bottles... ? How do you play non-Steam games on SteamOS ?

Balokzx

[deleted]

1- You're saying that Lutris, Bottles are worse than the Steam client and the Epic Games client under SteamOS in terms of privacy, right ? Can I ask why ?

3- Ok, I should use Flatpak, Appimage and Distrobox on SteamOS

4- You don't use a VPN application on your Steam Deck under SteamOS ?

6- I'll be using KDE Partition Manager now

Aeon

Balokzx

yes its possible to use tar.xz files to install programs in Distrobox but I would just use a package manager inside Distrobox.

you can "install" different Linux distributions for example debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, inside a distrobox container and then use the package manager of that distribution to install the software you need.

On my SteamDeck currently I am only using Steam as I also have a Desktop gaming PC where I use Heroic, Lutris and Bottles. It is possible and relatively easy to also use Heroic, Lutris and Bottles on the Deck. I would recommend you check out the GamingonLinux Discord there are a lot of people that game on Linux and also know a lot more about tinkering with the Steam Deck :-) they are a friendly group that will help you out :-)

About privacy and Security on the Deck: Its a Linux Device for gaming. Dont put anything private or important on it. When the Deck first shipped there wasnt even an option to password protect the deck.

[deleted]

Balokzx

Of course lutris is better for privacy, as it does not need an account. What i tried to get through is that every other commericial online launcher such as Epic Games, Blizzard, etc have worse privacy policies. Valve is a private company and Epic Games is a publicly traded company. This means that they have the motivation to abuse users and their data to please investors. Also Epic Games is owned by Tencent, which is a company with a primary focus on stealing data, abusing users' privacy, and installing malware on your devices via "anti cheat" and other excuses.
Correct.
I have it on the router level, no need to double the effort. I recommend you set it up that way too. Try to get an OpenWRT compatible router.

Balokzx

Aeon

Does this mean that I can install an official repository like dnf inside a distrobox container through an application under SteamOS without issues ? won't it create conflicts on my system under SteamOS ?

Balokzx

[deleted]
1 . So Epic Games can spy on me when I download free games from Epic Games from Heroic Games Launcher?
3 . I took the GL.inet Mudi V2 4G LTE router, I inserted the sim card of my European operator and configured the VPN, can my operator spy on me what I do on the internet?

[deleted]

Balokzx If you open the Epic Games store, its up to them what happens. If you don't want to trust Tencent, then don't use their store and rather pirate games you already own and then launch them with disabled network access.

If you can confirm that the traffic is going through the VPN, then your operator will only see that you're connecting to the VPN ip. Make sure your real ip/DNS is not leaking: https://ipleak.net

Aeon

Balokzx

yes you can for example install a minimal fedora container in distrobox and use dnf to install programms in there without getting conflicts with programs installed by the host system.

and you can even have another container with a ubunto or debian system and isntall programs with apt in there.

spring-onion

It shouldn't come as a surprise that discussion about piracy is forbidden, please respect that moving forward.

[deleted]

My previous answer with the appropriate resources removed to satisfy moderator request:

@Balokzx

If you use a vpn, its very likely that your DNS is provided by the VPN.
If you wanna be sure youre protected, set a trusted dns provider on your client devices such as dns.mullvad.net

Are you worried about GL.iNet seeing your traffic, or your ISP which supplied your SIM card?

Your ISP such as Verizon wont be able to read your traffic at all. Im not familiar with GL.iNet but if its open source or you trust them, then its nothing to worry about.

Your ISP such as Verizon is usually a much bigger threat than your router hardware. Is there something im misunderstanding about your question?

Balokzx

[deleted]

I am quite worried that ISP sees my traffic through my ISP from my sim card when I use mudi with a trusted vpn

However, I inserted my ISP's SIM card into my mudi, is that ok? Gl.inet Mudi uses their own openwrt (it's not vanilla openwrt)

No, that's right

[deleted]

Balokzx If your network traffic verifiably goes trought the VPN, then the ISP can only see you connecing to your VPN provider.

What you're doing sounds okay.

Balokzx

[deleted]

So, I don't have to worry. Thanks for the information