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Tails

Tails is a Debian based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the...

Tails

Tails Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Tails is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Tails Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-25

Features & Specs

  1. Privacy-focused

    Tails is designed to preserve your privacy and anonymity by routing internet traffic through the Tor network, which conceals your IP address and encrypted communications.

  2. Amnesic System

    Tails runs from a USB stick or DVD and does not leave any traces on the computer, as it operates entirely in memory and does not alter the hard drive.

  3. Pre-installed Security Tools

    Tails comes with a suite of pre-installed applications configured for security, including a web browser, instant messaging client, email client, office suite, and more.

  4. Regular Updates

    The development team behind Tails releases regular updates and security patches, ensuring that the system remains up-to-date against vulnerabilities.

  5. Open Source

    Tails is open source, meaning its source code is available for anyone to inspect, ensuring transparency and allowing the community to contribute to its development.

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Videos

Tails OS Installation And Review - Access The Deep Web/Dark Net

Tails Reviews Sonic The Hedgehog Movie | Post Credits Scene Reaction

5 Reasons to Use Tails | Privacy Linux

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Tails and what they use it for.
  • Ten years from Snowden revelations โ€“ what's next for Tor and privacy online?
    Iโ€™m not sure about the Tor project, but the closely-related Tails project (which is excellent, BTW) seems to be uncomfortably adjacent to far-left anarchist groups. Their website, https://tails.boum.org, is hosted by one such group, and on it they prominently link to another anarchist โ€œcollectiveโ€ called RiseUp. Why are we okay with this kind of implicit endorsement of violence-adjacent groups? It should be just... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • very strange
    I noticed that the website url https://tails.boum.org/ was changed to https://tails.net/. Does anyone know why? Source: over 2 years ago
  • My Mother Found Out I was Installing Linux...
    If you pop this onto a USB you can leave a beautiful Windows installation on your computer unfettled with: https://tails.boum.org/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • How does this work in Proton?! I was told it's impossible...
    If you want to factor out your host machine entirely whilst surfing the web, have a look at https://tails.boum.org/ . Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Is it possible for a skilled hacker or government to remotely access my computer?
    Tails is a security-focused Linux distro that (by default) only runs as a live-USB and is not meant to be used as a traditional daily-driver. As you've probably understood by now, it's a 'limited' system for the sake of security and privacy. At least it's assuring to have a far better protected distro than what distros like Arch/Debian/Fedora offer by default. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • LPT: A website is asking you to disable adblock to continue browsing? Copy the URL and open it through 12ft.io
    That's what Tails was invented for. Now, some people might tell you it was invented for security or bypassing surveillance, but that's rubbish. It was clearly invented to hide porn activity. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Need help ensuring safe communication
    Now, if you really know the basics of Linux, then I would just use Tails on a usb drive: Https://tails.boum.org/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • What's the best, uncensored browser for deep digging.
    If you are doing sensitive investigative journalism or are in a country that heavily suppresses information with fear of retaliation. You can always put Tails unto a USB Driver and use that along side a strong privacy VPN (Mullvad VPN is the best imo) among other measures. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Storing backup Ledger in safety deposit box
    I am considering the following: - generate an offline GPG key pair using Tails (https://tails.boum.org/) - encrypt my seed on tails, and copy the encrypted version to a usb drive - add my GPG private key to a Yubikey. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Safer to boot OS into RAM compared to SD Card or VM?
    To an extent, yes. That is the purpose of tails. This approach is beneficial because no data is stored permanently on the disk (unless you setup persistence). Source: almost 3 years ago
  • How to post on internet anonymously ?
    Your problem is harder than security and privacy. Much harder. Its not just surveillance and censorship. That is an easy and solved problem using likes of Tails (https://tails.boum.org/). It is a decently robust solution but it is not enough for you. Why? Let me tell you. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Tavelling to the US what should I take
    If you wanna know more about Tails or download it and make a usb stick https://tails.boum.org/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Who knows of any HWWs that can create BIP85 child seeds and Nostr keys, both derived directly from my โ‚ฟ seed on an HWW, as the Passport Foundation wallet has done?
    Strategy nยฐ1 = 1- Use my SeedSigner/BlockstreamJade/Coldcard to create a BIP85 child seed 2- Saved the https://nostrtool.com page to a USB drive with https://tails.boum.org/ installed and not connected to the internet! 3- Load my BIP85 child seed (BIP39 mnemonic) into the Nostr Tool Iโ€™ve downloaded. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Who knows of any HWWs that can create BIP85 child seeds and Nostr keys, both derived directly from my โ‚ฟ seed on an HWW, as the Passport Foundation wallet has done?
    Thanks. I could saved this https://nostrtool.com/ to a USB drive with https://tails.boum.org/ installed then use the tool. I more looking for a alternative HWW solutions. Maybe we are too early. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • I juste downloaded tor on a Android tablets by the site itself apk arm is it enough to be safe or what ?
    Wouldnโ€™t recommend using tor on an android device, best way to use it is with tails, which is an OS you can boot from a USB stick. Check it out here: https://tails.boum.org/. Itโ€™s specifically built for privacy and will protect you from detection. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Looking for a light distro with good privacy
    Both Qubes OS and Tails are excellent choices, and technically even more secure and/or privacy-conscious than the actual recommendations. However the former is notorious for not playing nice with GPUs (which is required for video editing), while the latter isn't intended as a daily driver. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • ๐Ÿ—ฟ
    Your ISP will spy on you no matter what, so use something like Mullvad if you're concerned about that, and if you want privacy to the max, use Tor (and Tails). Source: about 3 years ago
  • Newbie needs advice pls..
    Tails.boum.org (yes, that is the official site) Or just read r/tailstutorial (#ad). Source: about 3 years ago
  • Portable password manager on USB stick?
    This is not exactly what you asked fort but I was just yesterday playing with Tails Linux. This is a Linux distro based on security meant to be installed on a USB stick. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Congress hiding behind "protecting" LGBTQ+ to push for censorship bills that would harm us
    If you are even more afraid and want something that will not leave even the slightest forensic trace on your hard disk, check out https://tails.boum.org/ which is a live OS you can put on a USB stick and it routes everything through Tor anf not just Tor browser. Once you shut off the computer, every trace of what you did it gone because it only stores temporary shit in RAM. If it's not compatible with the WiFi or... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Tails download
    Are you on https://tails.boum.org when you try downloading? Source: about 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Tails

Tails, or The Amnesic Incognito Live System, is a notable Linux distribution that prioritizes privacy and anonymity. It stands out in the crowded field of privacy-focused operating systems due to its integration of the Tor network, a tool renowned for its ability to obfuscate user location and activity online. By routing all connections through Tor, Tails effectively conceals users' footprints, making it a powerful choice for those concerned about online surveillance and data privacy.

Key Features and Usage

Tails operates as a live OS, intended to be run from a USB stick or DVD. This design choice ensures that no data is left behind on the host computer once the session ends, reinforcing its reputation for leaving no digital trace. Despite this, users can opt for persistent storage, a feature allowing data to be saved across sessions. While this enhances usability, it comes at the expense of some anonymity. However, any stored data is encrypted, maintaining a robust level of privacy.

Public Perception and Application

In various online discussions and technical reviews, Tails is praised for its user-centric design that emphasizes security and privacy. Itโ€™s often recommended for users like investigative journalists or those in countries where information suppression is prevalent, who benefit from its anonymity features. Tails includes privacy-enhancing applications like KeePassX for password management and Paperkey for managing cryptographic keys. It also provides productivity tools such as Mozilla Thunderbird and LibreOffice, making it a versatile tool despite its secure nature.

However, Tails is not without criticism or limitations. Its reliance on Tor, while providing anonymity, also subjects it to the same limitations as the network, such as potentially slower connection speeds. The OS is also generally not recommended as a daily driver due to its ephemeral nature and limited functionality outside privacy-focused tasks.

Political and Ethical Considerations

A contentious point regarding Tails arises from its association with groups that some users perceive as politically controversial. The project's website links to organizations like RiseUp, which has sparked debate over implicit endorsements and the ethical alignment of the Tails project. This aspect has led to a mixed reception in some quarters, questioning whether such affiliations impact Tailsโ€™ suitability for broader adoption.

Conclusion

Tails remains a strong contender among secure operating systems, especially for users who prioritize privacy and anonymity over convenience and connectivity. Its reputation as a reliable tool in privacy circles is upheld by its consistent delivery on amnesic capabilities and the trusted use of the Tor network. Despite the debates surrounding its political affiliations, Tails' technical merits and pragmatic approach to privacy-focused computing ensure its place in the conversation on secure Linux distributions.

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Is Tails good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Tails here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.