Polaron

Version: 1.0
Base: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
Creator: ErrorDan

Prerequisites

System Requirements

• OS: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or compatible Debian sys
• RAM: Minimum 8GB
• Disk Space: Minimum 30GB on ssd
• Internet: Stable connection

Build Time

Total: 2-3 hours (10mio files or more)

Build Process

Step 1: Prepare Build Environment

Run the environment preparation script:

cd PolaronOS-Ubuntu
sudo chmod +x build-config/*.sh
sudo ./build-config/prepare-environment.sh

This script will:

• Install required build tools (debootstrap, squashfs-tools, xorriso, grub)
• Create working directories in /opt/polaron-build
• Bootstrap Ubuntu 24.04 base system
• Configure package repositories
• Mount necessary filesystems for chroot

Expected output: "Build Environment Ready!"

Step 2: Customize System

Install packages and configure the system:

sudo ./build-config/customize-system.sh

This script will:

• Install XFCE desktop environment
• Install security tools (UFW, Fail2Ban, AppArmor, Firejail, Lynis)
• Install Tor and anonymity tools
• Install privacy tools (MAC randomizer, DNS encryption)
• Install encryption tools (GPG, KeePassXC, VeraCrypt)
• Configure automatic security updates
• Create default 'polaron' user
• Remove telemetry and bloatware
• Apply Polaron at all

Expected duration: 30-60 minutes

Step 3: Apply Security Hardening

Apply all security configurations:

sudo ./security-config/apply-hardening.sh

This script will:

• Apply kernel hardening (sysctl parameters)
• Configure Tor transparent proxy
• Enable MAC address randomization
• Configure DNS encryption (DNSCrypt)
• Harden SSH configuration
• Configure Fail2Ban intrusion prevention
• Enable UFW firewall
• Activate AppArmor profiles

Step 4: Build ISO Image

Create the bootable ISO:

sudo ./build-config/build-iso.sh

This script will:

• Clean temporary files from chroot
• Update initramfs
• Create compressed squashfs filesystem
• Copy kernel and initrd
• Configure GRUB bootloader
• Generate ISO image
• Calculate SHA256 and MD5 checksums

Output location: /opt/polaron-build/output/polaron-os-1.0-amd64.iso

Testing the ISO

In QEMU (Quick Test)

qemu-system-x86_64 \
    -m 4G \
    -cdrom /opt/polaron-build/output/polaron-os-1.0-amd64.iso \
    -boot d \
    -cpu host \
    -enable-kvm

In VirtualBox

1. Create new VM:
2. Type: Linux
3. Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)
4. RAM: 4096 MB

5. Disk: 5-20GB

6. Settings → Storage → Add Optical Drive → Select ISO

7. Boot and test

In VMware

1. Create New Virtual Machine
2. Select "I will install the operating system later"
3. Choose Linux → Ubuntu 64-bit
4. Edit VM → CD/DVD → Use ISO image → Select Polaron ISO
5. Power on

Writing to USB Drive

This will erase ALL DATA on the USB drive!

Find USB Device

lsblk
# Identify your USB drive (e.g., /dev/sdb)

Write ISO to USB

sudo dd if=/opt/polaron-build/output/polaron-os-1.0-amd64.iso \
    of=/dev/sdX \
    bs=4M \
    status=progress \
    conv=fsync

# Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device

Alternative: Using Etcher/Ventoy (GUI)

1. Download Balena Etcher: https://www.balena.io/etcher/
2. Select ISO image
3. Select USB drive

4. Flash

5. Download Ventoy: https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html

6. Patch USB with ventoy (NOT YOUR SSD OR OTHER DRIVE)
7. Copy ISO to usb
8. Boot from usb

Verification

Verify ISO Integrity

sha256sum -c /opt/polaron-build/output/polaron-os-1.0-amd64.iso.sha256

md5sum -c /opt/polaron-build/output/polaron-os-1.0-amd64.iso.md5

Should output: polaron-os-1.0-amd64.iso: OK

Post-Build Customization

Entering the Chroot Environment

If you need to make additional changes before building the ISO:

sudo /opt/polaron-build/enter-chroot.sh

Inside chroot, you can:

• Install additional packages: apt install <package>
• Modify configurations
• Test commands

Exit chroot: exit

Then rebuild ISO: sudo ./build-config/build-iso.sh

Troubleshooting

Build Fails: "No space left on device"

• Check disk space: df -h
• Clean previous build: sudo rm -rf /opt/polaron-build
• Free up space and retry

Bootstrap Fails: Network errors

• Check internet connection
• Try different Ubuntu mirror: Edit prepare-environment.sh, change archive.ubuntu.com to your country mirror

ISO Doesn't Boot

• Verify BIOS/UEFI boot mode matches target system
• Try recreating USB with different tool (dd vs Etcher)
• Check GRUB configuration in build-iso.sh

Packages Missing in Final ISO

• Enter chroot: sudo /opt/polaron-build/enter-chroot.sh
• Install manually: apt install <package>
• Exit and rebuild ISO

Clean Up

Remove Build Files

To free up disk space after successful ISO creation:

# Unmount virtual filesystems first
sudo umount /opt/polaron-build/chroot/dev/pts
sudo umount /opt/polaron-build/chroot/dev
sudo umount /opt/polaron-build/chroot/proc
sudo umount /opt/polaron-build/chroot/sys
sudo umount /opt/polaron-build/chroot/tmp

# Remove build directory (KEEP THE ISO!)
sudo rm -rf /opt/polaron-build

Do this AFTER copying your ISO to a safe location!

Support

For build issues or customization help, other help:

• GitHub Issues
• Telegram: @errordan
• Discord: @errordan