OpenBSD is a free, open-source, Unix-like operating system that’s laser-focused on security, code correctness, and portability. It was created in 1995 by Theo de Raadt, who forked it from NetBSD to pursue a more transparent and security-conscious approach.

🔐 What Sets OpenBSD Apart

• Security-first design: Famous for having only two remote holes in the default install in decades—an unmatched track record
• Proactive security features: Includes built-in cryptography, secure memory management, and privilege separation
• Minimalism and correctness: Clean, well-audited codebase with a strong emphasis on standards compliance
• OpenSSH origin: The widely used OpenSSH project was born from OpenBSD

🧰 Use Cases

• Firewalls and routers (thanks to its PF packet filter)
• Secure servers and appliances
• Development environments for security-focused software
• Lightweight desktop systems (with FVWM or other minimalist GUIs)

🖥️ Hardware & Compatibility

• Supports a wide range of platforms—from x86-64 and ARM to more obscure architectures like SPARC64 and PA-RISC
• The latest release, OpenBSD 7.7, came out in April 2025 and includes support for modern CPUs like Ryzen AI and Intel Arrow Lake

OpenBSD isn’t for everyone—it’s lean, secure, and opinionated. But if you value transparency, reliability, and tight control over your system, it’s a gem.