Tails is a live operating system used to preserve your privacy and anonymity. It is a complete operating system that boots from a DVD, USB, or SD card. The host computer stores no records of the session, effectively allowing a user to leave no trace of his/her activities. TAILS takes advantage of the TOR browser which retains the anonymity of the users IP address by bouncing communication off a series of relays. Using Tails on a computer doesn’t alter or depend on the operating system installed on it. So you can use it in the same way on your computer, a friend’s computer, or one at your local library. After shutting down Tails, the computer will start again with its usual operating system.
Tails is a useful tool for security experts and those who wish to remain anonymous online.
State-of-the-art cryptographic tools
Tails also comes with a selection of tools to protect your data using strong encryption:
- Encrypt and sign private emails
- Encrypt USB and other hard drives using LUKS, the Linux standard for disk encryption
- Securely delete files and wipe disks
- Protect instant-messaging conversations with authentication and encryption
Tails is based on Debian and is a self-contained OS. It doesn’t use any part of the host machine, allowing the user to leave no trace of his/her activities.
You can use Tails on any machine, Windows, OSX, or Linux. Using Tails on a computer doesn’t alter or depend on the operating system installed on it. So you can use it in the same way on your computer, a friend’s computer, or one at your local library. After shutting down Tails, the computer will start again with its usual operating system.
Tails contains built-in applications pre-configured with security in mind: web browser, instant messaging client, email client, office suite, image and sound editor, etc.