openSUSE Linux has announced a major security change: SELinux is now the default mandatory access control (MAC) system for new openSUSE Tumbleweed installations, replacing AppArmor.

What’s Changing?

Previously, openSUSE Tumbleweed used AppArmor as its default MAC system, allowing administrators to define access controls using per-program profiles. However, starting with the Tumbleweed snapshot 20250211, new installations will default to SELinux instead.

This change does not affect existing installations, and users can still choose between SELinux and AppArmor during installation. Additionally, openSUSE Tumbleweed minimal VM images will now ship with SELinux in enforcing mode for enhanced security.

Why Switch to SELinux?

According to Neal Gompa, a well-known Linux developer, SELinux has several advantages over AppArmor, including:

• Stronger Security – SELinux provides finer-grained access controls and is widely used in high-security environments.
• Better Upstream Support – Many Linux distributions, including Fedora, CentOS, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), have standardized on SELinux, making it a well-maintained security module.
• Larger Community and Documentation – SELinux has a broader adoption and more extensive documentation, making it easier to troubleshoot and configure.

How Does This Affect Users?

If you are installing a fresh copy, the system will default to SELinux. However, users still have the option to select AppArmor if they prefer.

For existing openSUSE Tumbleweed users, the change does not automatically switch the MAC system. However, if they wish to migrate to SELinux, this provides a step-by-step guide on its Wiki.

Additionally, openSUSE Leap 15.x users are not affected, as the stable Leap series will continue using AppArmor by default.

How to Switch from AppArmor to SELinux

For users who want to transition from AppArmor to SELinux, this has provided migration documentation to ensure a smooth switch. Key steps include:

1. Installing the necessary SELinux packages
2. Configuring the system policies
3. Rebooting into an SELinux-enabled environment
4. Testing applications to ensure compatibility

Users can refer to the openSUSE Wiki for a complete guide on migration.

This shift aligns openSUSE with other enterprise and security-focused Linux distributions and gives users a choice between two powerful security frameworks. For those in high-security environments, SELinux offers stronger and more flexible security policies.

With the continued focus on security and flexibility, openSUSE Tumbleweed remains one of the most advanced rolling-release distributions available today.

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