Tails OS: A Secure Operating System for Privacy

Tails OS is a type of operating system used to ensure the privacy of the user. It lets you browse the internet anonymously and use any PC without leaving traces for the next user to find. Can it be used like Windows or macOS in everyday tasks? How does Tails OS use the network configuration that makes it browse anonymously? In this guide, we will learn what Tails OS is, how to download it, its features, how it works, and its importance in detail.

Table of Contents:

• What is Tails OS?
• Features of Tails OS
• History of the Tails Operating System
• How to Install Tails OS?
• Working of the Tails Operating System
• Advantages of Tails OS
• Disadvantages of Tails OS
• Conclusion

What is Tails OS?

Tails OS, or The Amnesic Incognito Live System, is a free, open-source operating system focused on protecting the privacy and keeping the user anonymous. It is built on the Debian Linux distribution, and is a highly secure and portable operating system famous for leaving no digital footprints on the computer you use. It does not use the internal storage of a system like a hard disk; hence, no data is saved in your computer.

The Tails Operating System uses the Tor network to route the internet connections. The Tor Network is a system through which users can access the internet anonymously and privately. Tor hides your IP address and online activity by sending your internet traffic through multiple servers (called relays or nodes) around the world.

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Features of Tails OS

Tails OS is an important type of operating system that has the following features:

1. Privacy and Anonymity with the Tor Network

Tails OS ensures strong privacy of the identity by routing all the traffic through the Tor network, which hides your IP address and makes it extremely difficult for websites to determine your physical location or identity. Any application that tries to connect to the internet outside of Tor is automatically blocked to prevent identity leaks.

2. Security and Encryption

The Tails OS is designed with strong security as its main principle because it ensures that users are protected by default without needing to configure complex settings. All the internet connections used via Tails OS are automatically routed through the Tor network, blocking any direct, unencrypted connections that could reveal the identity or location of a user.

3. Pre-installed Privacy Tools

Tails OS comes with pre-installed privacy tools to allow users to communicate, browse, and work securely and anonymously without any extra installation required. At the core, there is a Tor Browser, which enables anonymous web browsing by routing the traffic through the different layers of the Tor network, using tools like NoScript, Thunderbird, OnionShare, and so on.

4. Amnesic Nature (No Trace Left Behind)

Tails OS is called amnesic because it does not save any data once the PC is shut down. Unlike traditional operating systems that store data on the hard drive, Tails OS runs entirely on temporary memory space called RAM, and all the data is automatically erased when the system is turned off.

5. Persistence Support (Optional Storage)

Tails OS also offers storage if you want to save files across reboots, which is fully encrypted and is created on the same USB stick from which Tails OS runs. You can save documents, browser bookmarks, Wi-Fi passwords, additional software, and encryption keys. Persistent storage is completely optional and must be manually created.

6. Open Source

Tails is a 100% free and open-source operating system, which means that its source code is completely transparent and available for anyone to inspect, modify, or improve. This builds trust among users, and anyone can examine the code to make sure there are no hidden backdoors or security flaws.

History of the Tails Operating System

The Tails Operating System was first released in 2009 to help people stay private and safe online. It was created because of the growing concerns about online spying, censorship, and loss of privacy. Tails OS was inspired by a project called Incognito, which let people use the internet anonymously.

After Incognito ended, Tails OS continued the idea by combining Debian Linux, the Tor network, and other privacy tools into one easy-to-use, portable system. From the beginning, Tails OS was made to leave no trace on the computer and to hide your internet activity using Tor.

In 2013, when Edward Snowden revealed information about global spying programs, and praised Tails OS for helping him safely talk to reporters. Since then, Tails has improved with new updates, better encryption, and more support from a global community. Today, it is one of the most trusted tools for secure and anonymous computing.

How to Install Tails OS?

Follow the steps below to use Tails OS on your computer.

Step 1: Download Tails

• Go to the official Tails website: https://tails.net
• Download the Tails ISO image for your system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Step 2: Create a Tails USB Stick

• Use a tool like Tails Installer.
• Plug in a USB stick.
• Flash the Tails ISO file to the USB using the tool.

Step 3: Boot from USB

• Restart your computer.
• Enter the boot menu by pressing F12, F2, ESC, or DEL, depending on your computer.
• Select the USB stick to boot Tails.

Step 4: Welcome Screen

• You will see a screen called the Tails Greeter.
• Here you can choose your language and keyboard layout, and set an admin username and password. Then, enable Persistent Storage (if required)
• Click “Start Tails” to continue.

Step 5: Use Tails

Now you are inside Tails OS, and you can:

• Use the Tor Browser for anonymous web browsing
• Send encrypted emails
• Manage passwords
• Share files anonymously
• Edit documents, and so on.

Step 6: Shut Down Safely

• When you are done, click the power icon and shut it down. Tails wipes all activity from memory; nothing is saved (unless it’s in Persistent Storage).

Note: Using Tails OS requires a USB or a hard drive.

Working of the Tails Operating System

Tails is a portable and secure operating system that works directly from a USB stick or DVD. You do not need to install it on a computer; you just plug it in, boot from it, and start using it. Now, let us discuss the working of Tails OS.

• Tails does not get installed on your computer, instead, you have to plug a USB stick, restart your computer, and boot from the USB. It runs as a “Live OS”, i.e., everything will run temporarily.
• Once started, Tails OS loads completely into the RAM of the computer, which is temporary memory, and your hard drive is never used or touched.
• Tails OS uses the Tor Network for all internet activity. It hides your IP address, encrypts your data multiple times, and so on. If any app tries to connect to the internet without using Tor, Tails blocks that connection.
• Tails forgets everything after the shutdown of the computer. But if you need to save files (like documents, bookmarks, or settings), you can enable Persistent Storage.
• When you shut down Tails OS, all temporary memory (RAM) is cleaned, and nothing is written to the hard drive. Hence, even if someone takes your computer after shutdown, they will find no clues about what you did.

Advantages of Tails OS

Below are the importance and advantages of the Tails Operating System:

• Total Privacy: Tails hides your identity by routing all the traffic through the Tor network, making it hard for anyone to track your location or work.
• Leaves No Trace: Tails OS runs on RAM (temporary storage), not on your hard drive. So, when you shut down your PC, all the history and files you used at this point will be deleted.
• Optional Encrypted Storage: If you want to save files on your computer, Tails OS offers persistent storage that will be encrypted and secured by a strong password.
• Built-In Privacy Tools: Tails includes ready-to-use built-in tools like Tor Browser for anonymous browsing, Thunderbird for encrypted mail, OnionShare for anonymous file sharing, and so on.
• Free and Open Source: Tails OS is free and open-source, meaning anyone can see its working and use it without paying any amount.

Disadvantages of Tails OS

Below are the disadvantages of Tails OS:

• Limited Performance: Tails OS runs from a DVD, USB, or RAM, hence it can be slower than a regularly installed OS because DVDs and USBs have slower read/write speeds than internal SSDs or HDDs.
• No Permanent Storage: Tails OS does not have any permanent storage by default, i.e., your data will be lost after you shut it down. For persistent storage, you have to change its default settings.
• Slower Network: Tails OS uses the Tor network to distribute the traffic, which is slower than regular internet, so websites might take a longer time to load.
• Complex: Beginners might find it confusing at first due to new tools, security settings, and the need to boot from the USB.
• Not Ideal For Daily Use: Tails is designed for short-term, high-security use, not as a full-time desktop OS because it may not meet the needs of general-purpose users, e.g., gamers, video editors.

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Conclusion

From the above article, we concluded that Tails OS is an operating system used for anonymous browsing and security purposes. It uses the Tor network to route its traffic and allow you to browse anonymously. To use Tails OS, there is a need for a USB stick to transfer it to a computer. It is free and an open-source OS, which makes it trusted by the user, but it cannot be used in daily life, just like Windows and macOS, because it is mainly used for privacy concerns, does not save files, runs from a USB, and is slower and harder to use than regular operating systems.

If you want to learn more about Tails OS in detail, you can refer to our Software Engineering Course.

Tails OS – FAQs