Here is a guide to understanding and using Tails OS.
If you are concerned about online privacy and anonymity, Tails OS is a powerful tool designed specifically for you. It’s a live operating system that you can start on almost any computer from a USB stick or DVD. Its primary goal is to force all your internet connections through the Tor network, making it extremely difficult to track your online activities.
What makes Tails stand out? It’s built with security in mind. By default, it leaves no trace on the computer you use after you shut it down. Everything is stored in your RAM and wiped clean when the session ends. This ensures that even if the computer is compromised, your session data is gone.
Why might you choose to use Tails OS? For many, it’s about maintaining anonymity online, whether for political reasons, journalism, bypassing censorship, or simply safeguarding against surveillance. It’s also useful for accessing sensitive information securely without leaving digital footprints on public or untrusted computers.
Getting Started: Installation
Installing Tails OS is typically done by writing the image onto a USB stick. You will need a USB stick of at least 8GB. The official website provides detailed, step-by-step instructions, usually recommending you download the image and then use a specific tool like Balena Etcher or Tails Installer to write it correctly to the USB drive. It is crucial to verify the downloaded image to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. This verification process usually involves checking cryptographic signatures. Once the image is successfully written, the USB stick becomes your Tails boot device.
Using Tails OS
To use Tails, you need to boot your computer from the USB stick instead of its usual hard drive. This often involves changing the boot order in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings, or selecting the USB drive from a boot menu when starting the computer. When Tails starts, it provides a secure desktop environment. All internet traffic is automatically routed through the Tor network. Included applications like the Tor Browser, an email client, and instant messaging are pre-configured for anonymity.
Key Features of Tails OS
Tails OS comes with several features designed for security and privacy:
- Always connects via Tor: All outgoing internet connections are forced through the Tor network, or they are blocked.
- State-of-the-art cryptographic tools: Includes applications like VeraCrypt for encrypting data and the OpenPGP standard for signing and encrypting emails and files.
- Secure default applications: Comes with privacy-respecting software like Tor Browser (a hardened Firefox version), Thunderbird (with OpenPGP support), Pidgin (pre-configured for OTR messaging), and OnionShare for anonymous file sharing.
- No persistent storage by default: Leaves no trace on the hard drive of the computer used.
- Optional Persistent Storage: You can set up encrypted persistent storage on the USB stick itself to save specific files, settings, or even software, which will be available across sessions, while everything else remains non-persistent. This feature is encrypted and optional.
- AMNESIA (Automatic Management of Non-volatile Storage and Encrypted Isolation of Applications): This concept underlies how Tails handles memory and storage to ensure no data is left behind.
Pros and Cons
Like any tool, Tails OS has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Excellent Anonymity: Forces all traffic through Tor, offering a high level of online anonymity.
- Security-Focused: Designed from the ground up with security, privacy, and amnesia (no trace) as core principles.
- Portable: Runs from a USB stick, making it usable on almost any computer without installation on the hard drive.
- Easy to Start Using: Once booted, the interface is straightforward, and essential privacy tools are pre-installed and configured.
- Strong Community Support: Benefits from active development and a community focused on privacy.
Cons:
- Slow Internet Speed: Routing all traffic through Tor inherently slows down internet connections compared to direct access.
- Compatibility Issues: Some websites or services might block access from Tor exit nodes.
- Requires Dedicated Boot: You must restart your computer and boot from the USB stick, which can be less convenient than running a standard OS.
- Hardware Compatibility: While generally good, rare hardware incompatibilities can occur.
- Learning Curve: While basic usage is simple, understanding concepts like persistent storage and using the included encryption tools requires some learning.
In summary, Tails OS is a robust and essential tool for anyone prioritizing privacy and anonymity online. While it might require slightly adjusting your workflow and accepting slower speeds, the security and anonymity it provides are unparalleled for a ready-to-use live operating system. Understanding its features and how to install and use it correctly empowers you to take control of your digital footprint.
Source: https://linuxhint.com/tails-os-tutorial-features-installation-pros-cons/
