You need to restart the WSL and in addition to avoid this problem in future, you can create an config file as below:

If you open Windows Power Shell, type below command which will restart the WSL:

Restart WSL

wsl --shutdown

Configuration file

By creating an config file, we can disable this issue. This file need to be created as it doesn’t exist usually. Open an text editor and add the 2 lines as below, save it in the folder:

/Users/USERNAME/         

file name:        .wslconfig

[wsl2]
guiApplications=false

Note: save the file as .wslconfig (don’t forget the dot in front of it, and make sure you don’t save it as txt extension file.

Restart.

Note: Additional read, the official Microsoft documentation on this config file.

Read my blog about how to install docker, here.

How to setup a Anaconda Container

Create a Work Folder on your local hard disk

• (1) First create a folder on your local hard disk. If you use Windows open the cmd (Windows + R and then cmd) or a terminal on Linux/Mac OS.
• (2) Within Command Window / Terminal: mkdir NAME and then move into this folder with cd NAME

Anaconda Container & Linking it to the Home Folder

Now that you are in the newly created folder we will create now the Docker Container, with following command we will download the latest Anaconda Image (please be aware that can be few hundreds MB), and then create a new container that will use above new folder as home folder, and telling the container that we want access this folder via Webbrowser (local host).

On Windows: Open a power shell window (Windows + R and type powershell) and make sure you are in the new created folder (cd NAME) and used below command:

docker run -it -p 8888:8888 -p 5000:5000 -v ${PWD}:/home --name anaconda3_env continuumio/anaconda3

On Mac/Linux: Make sure you are in the new created folder (cd NAME) and run below command line in the terminal.

docker run -it -p 8888:8888 -p 8888.888 -p 5000:5000 -v "$PWD":/home --name anaconda3_env continuumio/anaconda3 

To explain: this will pull the latest Anaconda Image from the docker hub server. Since you run this command from within your created new folder it will link this as home folder to the container and the new container will have the name ‘anaconda3_env’ and provides access via the ports 8888.

-it stands for interactive terminal, -p forwards and opens a port, -v mounts the working directory into the container, --name gives the container its name

Now the container should be visible in your Docker Desktop Application with the name ‘anaconda_env_’.

Launching Jupyter Lab using the Container

If you go to your Container within Docker, there are several buttons next to each container.

First opens a terminal (we will need that in a minute), second stops/starts the container, next restarts and delete (only if the container has been stopped before).

1. Start the container with the arrow button.
2. Open the Terminal via the Terminal button and type below command

jupyter lab --ip='0.0.0.0' --port=8888 --no-browser --allow-root --notebook-dir=/home

This command will give you access via your Webbrowser to the Jupiter Lab within your container. The terminal window will give you the accurate and correct link that you can copy and paste into your browser to access the Jupiter Lab.

Enjoy.

Docker is a freely (personal usage) available container virtualisation software. With the help of the Docker engine, applications including their application environment can be deployed in parallel and isolated from each other on a host system. The software is available for operating systems such as Linux, Windows and macOS. Unlike virtual machines, Docker containers do not require virtualization of the operating system.

There are plenty ready images to choice from and for every needs.

Official Website: https://www.docker.com

Download & Installation

Download from above linked Official Website the Docker Desktop for your operating system. Once completed, run the installer, recommended to select during the installation in the ‘Configuration’ window ‘Enable WSL2 Features’ and ‘Add shortcut to desktop’.

Note: You you install Docker on Windows you may get an ‘WSL 2 installation is incomplete’ notification. No panic, just follow the link and install the kernel (also follow the settings to set it as default on the prompted link.

Next Reboot.

On Docker Hub you will find a list of images that you can try out. I will take the opportunity to share in a later blog one or two examples, how I use them and what for.

Official Website: Docker Hub

When I was looking for a tool for Python and R I come across Anaconda Navigator. I really love how easy it is to setup and install, it supports Mac, Windows and Linux and has a great list of Applications to use and choice from.

And the best of all, it’s free to use (individual edition).

So if you like to start with data science, for school, study or just for fun, have a look at Anaconda Navigator.

Website: Anaconda

Whonix is a Debian based Linux OS – however you use it in a Virtual Machine, therefore within Windows, Linux or Mac OS.

Whonix contains of two Virtual Machines preconfigurations:

• The Gateway that connect to the Tor Network
• The Workstation – that force all the traffic through the ‘Gateway’ and therefore through the Tor Network

It is a preconfigured System that comes with a list of security features, that keeps you safe and protected and its free.

Really a great way to keep your privacy protected. I would highly recommend to use on top of this a VPN in your normal OS, that adds another layer of security.

• VPN in Windows, Linux or MacOS

• Whonix and the Gateway via Tor

List of all Security Features, here.

Official Website: Whonix

Today, I would like share my experience with Qubes OS – however from the beginning this OS has a higher system requirement and also it is not a beginner OS – however so far the most secure operation system I am aware of.

Official Website: OS Qubes

The Basic Idea, Qubes is preconfigured for Tor Network and Bridge, and runs every software piece in a virtual machine (Qubes), that can customised configured, and sandboxed. If there is a compromise in one ‘Qubes’ it stays in there and cannot compromise the rest of the system.

I really like this concept and the idea of security. If you have second computer that meets the system requirements I would recommend to try Qubes OS. Great OS and Ideas. Not easy from the beginning, but worth the effort to learn how to use it if you care – as you should – for your security and data.

Those fingerprints are more than just the cookies. Whenever you visit a website you submit information about your device timezone via the HTTP headers. The browser window size you use which can give information what screen resolution and size you use – when JavaScript is activated. The font you use, some information about your hardware configuration etc.

All this combined provides an unique fingerprint of your device that you use on the internet – if you are looking for an anonymous use of the internet, you should make sure this fingerprint is not to unique, but common.

There is a great page to check the uniqueness of your browser. A project by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

Website: Cover Your Tracks

There is a relative easy and secure option. Have you heard of Tails OS Before? It is a live linux distribution that you install on an USB Stick, boot from it and have a ready and secure setup OS in front of you.

Linux based, and preconfigured for the Tor Network. As it boots from USB and as live OS it doesn’t save data on the stick (Unless you activate Persistent Storage).

Official Website: Tails OS

What you need:

• 8 GB USB stick
• ISO from Tails
• A tool to create an bootable USB Stick, I like to use Etcher

Next Steps:

1. Download the ISO and Etcher
2. Insert your USB Stick (make sure you have no data on it that you need as everything will be erased)
3. Start Etcher, select the ISO and the USB Drive and start

Once created, you should be able to boot from the USB Stick into Tails OS.

During the initial startup screen, press ESC, F1, F2, F8 or F10. (Depending on the computer manufacturer)

Enjoy.

A VPN creates a secure connection between you and the internet. When you use a VPN your data traffic is sent through an encrypted virtual connection.

This is important to hide your real IP, your real location and your traffic, your sites you visit. Data is big business, and other people make money with it. Therefore you should protect you and your data.

Reasons to use VPN

• more anonymous: hiding your real IP, location and traffic
• This will make you and your device more safer for hackers and cyber criminals
• you can use the full freedom of the internet

To Consider:

• The cost of the VPN Service (is not everything)
• The connection and location of the servers they use
• How many devices you can use the software/account with
• Additional Services, e.g. Password manager, Data protection etc.
• Supported OS
• Transparency with Data Privacy and Security: e.g. No IP Logs and more.

I personally like Surfshark, I have tested various Services and this one works for me. Multiple connections, no Log policy and transparent Terms of Use and Data Privacy. Look out for special sales and offers, you can safe good amount of money.

The Software is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL):

https://www.virtualbox.org

It is easy to use, after the installation, you can create a new Virtual Machine:

Installation & Setup

• Machine > New
• Give it a Name and select the path (or default recommendation)
• Select the Operation System you plan to install
• Download an ISO, e.g. Microsoft Windows from Microsoft Webpage, or a Linux Distribution, e.g.
  • Linux Mint
  • Ubuntu
  • more at Wikipedia

• Select the Memory (check the recommended requirement for each of the OS), click NEXT
• Then you will have to create a Virtual Hard Disk, click CREATE
• I would recommend to use the Default ‘VDI’ Hard disk file and NEXT
• I usually select ‘Fixed Size’ as I just use it for testing. and NEXT
• Select the Disk Size (recommended or if you have enough space a little bit more) and CREATE

After its created, you will need to install an Operation System (links above)

• Select your created Virtual Machine, and ‘Settings‘
• Click on System, and under Motherboard, I usually remove the check mark for Floppy.
• Adjust the Base Memory, the right side should show your max computer Memory, so don’t go into the red, but if possible increase it, that will speed up a few things when running the OS.
• Under System click on the Tab ‘Processor‘ if you have a machine that has a powerful enough CPU why not share another Processor, but don’t select all because then your hosting computer may will have some speed issues. Confirm with ‘OK’
• Click on ‘Display‘ under Settings, same like previously with the Base Memory, if possible and needed give the Virtual Machine a little bit more Memory. Confirm with ‘OK’
• Storage – Here you can insert the downloaded ISO of previously downloaded OS so that you can start installing the Operation System. Click on the ‘Empty’ Disk Icon and on the right there is a little disk when you click on that, you can choose ‘Choose a disk file’ here select then the ISO you want install.
• Next you can ‘Start‘ The Virtual Machine and it should load up and show the OS Installation Screen, after the installation, the VM will reboot and next time with the start up, it should show you the Operation System loading. Good luck and have fun.