{{Header}}
{{title|title=
History
}}
{{#seo:
|description=History of {{project_name_long}}.
|image=Pen-1035081640.jpg
}}
[[File:Pen-1035081640.jpg|thumb|A pen symbolizing the documentation of {{project_name_long}}'s history.]]
{{intro|A comprehensive record of the development and milestones of {{project_name_short}}.}}

= Brief {{project_name_short}} History =
{{project_name_short}} originated under the name {{Code|Hardened Debian}}, reflecting its initial focus on security-hardening the Debian system. It underwent a brand evolution to become known as {{code|{{project_name_short}}}}.

== Milestones ==
;11 January 2012
:{{Whonix}} (formerly TorBOX), an operating system with a focus on anonymity and security, is created. This marks the beginning of the journey that would eventually lead to the conception of {{project_name_short}}.

;15 September 2018
:The world is introduced to {{Code|Hardened Debian}} through an [https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/hardened-debian-in-development-feedback-wanted.408245/ initial announcement]. <ref>Additional verification may be needed to confirm this date.</ref> The founder of {{Whonix}}, with a nine-year (at time of writing) [https://www.whonix.org/wiki/History history] of [https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Security_in_Real_World safeguarding users], also lays the groundwork for {{project_name_short}}.

;11 August 2019
:A dedicated domain, {{Code|{{project_domain}}}}, is secured for the project. <ref>[https://whoisrequest.com/whois/kicksecure.com Whois request for kicksecure.com]</ref>

;19 September 2019
:An initial testers-only version of {{project_name_short}} is released on the {{Whonix}} forums for VirtualBox users. <ref>[https://forums.whonix.org/t/kicksecure-security-focused-linux-testers-wanted/8151 Kicksecure on Whonix Forum]</ref>

;November 2021
:The official {{Code|{{project_domain}}}} website goes live, marking a significant step in the project's public outreach. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211223164432/https://www.kicksecure.com/ Wayback Machine: kicksecure.com snapshot]</ref>

;22 October 2022
:The first testers-only version of {{project_name_short}} is released on its own dedicated website. <ref>
https://forums.kicksecure.com/t/kicksecure-16-0-8-2-for-virtualbox-point-release/114
</ref>

;13 July 2024
:First ISO testers-only release of {{project_name_short}}, signaling another key development milestone. <ref>
https://forums.kicksecure.com/t/kicksecure-17-2-0-1-all-platforms-point-release/492
</ref>

;31 July 2024
:First ISO stable release of {{project_name_short}}. <ref>
https://forums.kicksecure.com/t/kicksecure-17-2-0-7-point-release/512
</ref>

;12 December 2024
:First ISO release with [[Secure Boot]] support. <ref>
https://forums.kicksecure.com/t/kicksecure-17-2-8-5-point-release/769
</ref>

= Relationship between {{Kicksecure}} and {{Whonix}} =
{{Kicksecure}} is an operating system designed with a focus on security by default.

{{Whonix}}, on the other hand, prioritizes both anonymity and security by default.

Despite {{Whonix}} being the predecessor, {{Kicksecure}} was established by the same individual who founded {{Whonix}}.

Chronologically, {{Whonix}} was introduced before {{Kicksecure}}. However, in terms of the software stack, {{Whonix}} builds upon the foundation of {{Kicksecure}}. It is technically {{whonix_wiki
|wikipage=Based_on_Kicksecure
|text=Whonix "is based" on Kicksecure
}} {{Kicksecure}}, not vice versa.

The phrase "based on" is used here to describe the technical framework rather than the historical timeline. Since {{Kicksecure}}'s core focus is security, it serves as a more streamlined base to which additional features (such as anonymity) can be added. This modular approach ensures that {{Kicksecure}} maintains a clean and secure baseline, which can be expanded upon by {{Whonix}} to integrate further privacy features.

Conceptually, {{Kicksecure}} was engineered as an independent project with no technical dependencies on {{Whonix}}. This design philosophy allows for a conceptual understanding where {{Kicksecure}} could be seen as the foundational layer, with {{Whonix}} acting as an extension or "add-on" that incorporates anonymity features on top of {{Kicksecure}}'s secure base.

See also {{whonix_wiki
|wikipage=Comparison_with_Kicksecure
|text=Comparison - Whonix versus Kicksecure
}}.

= Footnotes =
{{reflist|close=1}}

{{Footer}}

[[Category:Documentation]]