The Modern Linux Desktop Ecosystem
Wayland vs. X11 Security Architecture
X11 lets any client observe the whole session, including keystrokes and other windows, because there is no isolation between clients and the server. Wayland replaces that model with explicit protocols: clients get surfaces and must be granted access to input, capture, and other clients' content. The security gain is real, but it depends on compositor policy and portal implementation.
Points clés
- Treat screen capture and input injection as privileged operations gated by the desktop portal.
- Audit which portals your compositor implements, since missing portals break sandboxed apps.
- Disable remote access paths you do not use instead of relying on defaults.
- Run untrusted applications under a sandbox that restricts both filesystem and display access.
- Test accessibility tooling, which often needs explicit protocol support on Wayland.
- Keep the compositor and portal packages patched, as they sit on a sensitive boundary.
- Document workarounds for applications that still require XWayland.
- Verify that screen sharing works through the intended portal rather than a legacy fallback.
Questions fréquentes
Is Wayland immune to keyloggers?
No. It removes the universal snooping model, but a compromised compositor or granted portal can still capture input.
Why does screen sharing fail on Wayland?
The application may not support the portal API, or the compositor may lack the required protocol.
Does XWayland weaken security?
It reintroduces an X server for legacy clients, so sandbox those clients and limit what they can see.
Should I switch now?
Yes for most desktops, provided your capture, accessibility, and remote support tools work.
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