Tails, or The Amnesic Incognito Live System, is a specialized Linux distribution built upon Debian, meticulously crafted to provide users with the highest level of anonymity and privacy for their personal information. It serves as an ideal solution for individuals deeply concerned about their online privacy, aiming to leave minimal digital footprints during their internet activities.
The core principle behind Tails is to route all outgoing internet connections through the anonymous Tor network. This process involves encrypting and relaying your internet traffic through a global network of servers, making it exceptionally difficult to trace your online activity. Furthermore, Tails automatically blocks any connections suspected of not being anonymous, adding an essential layer of security. Designed primarily for booting from a LiveCD or LiveUSB, Tails ensures that no digital traces are left on the host computer once the session is shut down, guaranteeing that your activity cannot be recovered.
Quick Start & Pro Tips
Setting Up Encrypted Persistent Storage
- When Tails boots, on the Welcome Screen, select the option to ‘Configure Persistent Storage’.
- Choose a strong passphrase for your encrypted volume.
- Select which types of data you want to persist across sessions (e.g., personal files, browser bookmarks, Wi-Fi networks, additional software).
- Complete the setup and restart Tails, unlocking your Persistent Storage at the Welcome Screen when prompted.
Persistent Storage allows you to save selected data and configurations securely on your Tails USB stick, preventing data loss between sessions while maintaining encryption. This is crucial for retaining important documents, custom settings, or installed software without compromising the amnesic nature of Tails for other activities.
Enhancing Tor Browser Security Level
- After Tails has loaded and Tor Browser is ready, launch it.
- Click on the ‘Security Settings’ button (a shield icon) located to the right of the address bar.
- Select ‘Advanced Security Settings’ and set the browser’s security level to ‘Safest’.
- Close Tor Browser to ensure the setting is applied for future sessions (if Persistent Storage is configured for dotfiles).
Setting Tor Browser to the ‘Safest’ security level significantly reduces the risk of exploits by disabling JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites, limiting some fonts and math symbols, and disabling various potentially vulnerable web features. This provides a stronger defense against sophisticated attacks, especially when dealing with untrusted links.
Practicing Compartmentalization for Activities
- For each distinct sensitive activity (e.g., checking different email accounts, researching separate topics), restart Tails to begin a fresh, amnesic session.
- If saving data for different activities, use separate encrypted USB sticks for Persistent Storage, or at least separate folders within Persistent Storage, to avoid linking activities.
- Avoid logging into multiple sensitive accounts on the same website within a single Tails session.
Compartmentalization is a critical security practice that prevents adversaries from linking your different online activities. By isolating tasks into separate Tails sessions or storage, you minimize the risk of correlation and enhance your overall anonymity, even if one activity is compromised.
Download Tails
File size: 1.82GB
OS support: Windows, macOS, Linux
Windows
macOS
Linux
Product Specifications
| Software Name | Tails |
|---|---|
| Version | 7.9 |
| License | Freeware |
| File Size | 1.82GB |
| OS Support | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Language | Multi-language (available in 33 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Catalan, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Turkish) |
| Developer | Tor Project |
| Homepage | https://tails.net/ |
| Changelogurl | https://tails.net/news/ |
| Last Updated | June 5, 2026 |
System Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 64-bit x86-64 compatible processor (IBM PC compatible, not PowerPC nor ARM). Most Mac computers since 2006 are compatible, but Apple M1/M2 chips are not supported. |
| RAM | 2 GB (for smooth operation, can work with less but may behave strangely or crash) |
| Storage | 8 GB USB stick minimum |
| Boot Media | Requires booting from a USB stick |
Key Features
- Mandatory Tor Network Integration – Tails routes all internet traffic through the Tor network by default, ensuring that your online activities are anonymized and protected from surveillance and tracking. This core feature conceals your IP address and encrypts your data.
- Amnesic Live Environment – Designed to boot from a USB stick or DVD, Tails operates in a live environment, meaning it runs entirely in your computer’s RAM. This ensures that no digital traces are left on the host machine once Tails is shut down, providing a clean slate with every session.
- Automatic Connection Blocking – To enhance security, Tails automatically blocks any connections that are not routed through the Tor network, preventing accidental information leaks and ensuring all online communication remains anonymous.
- Updated Tor Browser – The distribution includes an updated Tor Browser, configured for maximum privacy and security. Recent versions have seen updates to the browser and restrictions on local network access to prevent leaks.
- Comprehensive Security Tools – Tails comes pre-installed with a suite of privacy-enhancing applications, including KeePassXC for password management, GnuPG for cryptographic operations, and OnionShare for anonymous file sharing, all configured with secure defaults.
- Optional Encrypted Persistent Storage – While Tails is amnesic by default, users have the option to create an encrypted Persistent Storage area on their USB stick. This allows for securely saving selected files, configurations, and additional software across reboots.
- Broad Hardware Compatibility – With features like the 32-bit GRUB EFI, Tails is designed to load and run on a wide range of hardware, including some Intel Bay Trail CPU tablets, expanding its accessibility for users.
Installation Guide
- Step 1: Click the download button above to get the Tails USB image file for your operating system.
- Step 2: Download and use a tool like BalenaEtcher (recommended) to write the Tails image to a USB stick of at least 8 GB. This process will erase all data on the USB stick.
- Step 3: Restart your computer and access your BIOS/UEFI settings (often by pressing F2, F12, DEL, or ESC during startup). Configure the boot order to prioritize booting from the USB stick.
- Step 4: Boot your computer from the prepared Tails USB stick. On the Welcome Screen, select your language and keyboard layout, and configure any additional settings like Persistent Storage if desired.
- Step 5: Click ‘Start Tails’ to launch the desktop environment. Wait for the ‘Tor is ready’ notification before beginning your anonymous browsing session.
Compatibility Notes
Tails runs as a standalone operating system from a USB stick, independent of your computer’s installed OS. It requires a 64-bit x86-64 compatible processor and may have compatibility issues with certain newer hardware or proprietary drivers, such as some Wi-Fi cards or Nvidia GPUs.
Common Issues
- Issue: USB Won’t Boot — Solution: Check BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure Secure Boot is disabled and the USB drive is prioritized in the boot order. Try different USB ports.
- Issue: Wi-Fi Not Working — Solution: Some Wi-Fi cards lack Linux drivers. Try a USB Wi-Fi adapter or connect via Ethernet cable. Disable MAC address spoofing at the Welcome Screen to test.
- Issue: Slow Performance — Solution: Tails runs from a USB, which is inherently slower than a hard drive. Use a faster USB 3.0 drive and a computer with more RAM to improve performance.
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