Linux for Preppers: Post-Apocalyptic Computing Survival Guide

When civilization collapses, your smartphone won’t save you. But a well-prepared Linux system might.

In this guide, we’ll build a disaster-proof computing setup that works without the internet, power grids, or tech support—covering everything from offline Wikipedia to self-healing mesh networks.

1. Raspberry Pi Mesh Networking (No Internet Required)

Why Mesh Networking Matters

When cell towers fail, peer-to-peer mesh networks keep communication alive. Using Raspberry Pis, we create a local intranet for:

• Text messaging
• File sharing
• Emergency alerts

Hardware You’ll Need

• 3+ Raspberry Pi 4s (or Pi 5s)
• External batteries (solar-charged)
• USB Wi-Fi adapters (for stronger range)

Software Setup

# Install BATMAN-adv (mesh protocol)
sudo apt install batctl

# Configure interfaces
sudo batctl if add wlan0
sudo ifconfig bat0 up

Real-World Use:

• Farmers in Cuba used this during nationwide blackouts
• Hong Kong protesters relied on it when governments shut down networks

2. Offline Wikipedia & Survival Libraries

Build a Solar-Powered Knowledge Bank

A 128GB USB drive can store:

• Complete Wikipedia (Kiwix, ~90GB compressed)
• 10,000+ Project Gutenberg books
• Medical manuals (Merck Manual, Where There Is No Doctor)

Installation:

# Download Kiwix (offline Wikipedia)
wget https://download.kiwix.org/release/kiwix-tools/kiwix-tools_linux-x86_64.tar.gz

# Extract and run
tar -xvf kiwix-tools_*.tar.gz
./kiwix-serve --port=8080 wikipedia.zim

Power Solutions:

• Solar laptop: Modify an old ThinkPad with a 20W panel
• E-ink tablets: Like the reMarkable 2 (weeks of battery)

3. Alpine Linux on USB (10-Year Readiness)

Why Alpine?

• Tiny footprint (150MB install)
• Runs in RAM (protects against disk corruption)
• No systemd (critical for low-resource systems)

Create a Persistent USB Drive

# Format USB as ext4 (better longevity than FAT32)
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX

# Install Alpine
sudo setup-alpine

Data Preservation Tips:

• Use M-Disc DVDs (rated for 1,000+ years)
• Store LUKS-encrypted backups in Faraday bags

4. EMP-Proof Your Setup

Faraday Cage for Electronics

• DIY Option: Metal trash can + copper mesh
• Commercial: Mission Darkness Faraday bags

Hardened Hardware Choices

• Librem 5: Purism’s secure, modular phone
• Older ThinkPads: Less vulnerable to firmware attacks

5. Post-Collapse Security

Air-Gapped Encryption

• Tails OS: Leave no forensic traces
• GPG for messages: Pre-share keys with your group

Detecting Intruders

# Monitor network connections
sudo apt install nethogs
sudo nethogs wlan0

Final Checklist

Priority	Item	Why It Matters
1	Raspberry Pi mesh network	Communication when cell towers die
2	Offline Wikipedia + medical docs	Surviving without WebMD
3	Alpine Linux on USB	OS that outlasts HDDs
4	Faraday cages	EMP/nuke protection
5	Signal/Matrix servers on LAN	Censorship-resistant messaging

Conclusion: Be Ready Before the Grid Fails

Linux gives preppers an unfair advantage:

• No corporate backdoors (unlike Windows/macOS)
• Runs on scavenged hardware
• Community-supported (no license fees)

Next Steps:

1. Download Kiwix
2. Join Local Mesh Network Projects
3. Practice now—disasters don’t wait.

📚 Further Resources

• Offline Survival Manuals
• Raspberry Pi Mesh Guide
• Faraday Cage Testing

What’s in your bug-out PC? Share setups below! ⚡