Tails OS: useful information about the operating system

The modern Internet is a tool for active online communication in the modern world, searching for the necessary information and more. The World Wide Web allows you to exchange instant electronic messages, send letters via e-mail, launch online conferences on specialized sites, study information presented on sites, watch movies, listen to music and more. But any network activity is tracked by the system. And a large number of people already know about this today. Therefore, the issue of ensuring security on the Internet is of interest to more and more users. The relevant specialists are also aware of this problem. Literally from the moment the Internet appeared, there has been an active struggle between tracking systems and those who oppose such actions.

One of the solutions designed to provide a sufficiently high level of protection when working on the network is the Tails operating system. It was created specifically to provide users with the highest possible privacy levels when working on the Internet. Today, in practice, it is quite actively used by activists, journalists and all those people whose professional activities require protection from digital surveillance. However, along with a large number of advantages, Tails also has a number of limitations that do not allow us to say with confidence that this is the ideal solution for safe work on the Internet.

In today's review, we will dwell in detail on why it is important to provide yourself with additional protection when working on the Internet. We will tell you what the Tails operating system is, for what tasks it can be used, highlight the key advantages and disadvantages. We will tell you how to install it correctly. We will also pay special attention to the review of the weak points of this product and provide an optimal use case. The information presented will allow you to more closely navigate the features of the Tails operating system and determine for yourself the need to use it.

Who and why monitor users on the Internet?

Today, surveillance on the Internet is carried out everywhere. And here we are not talking about some "special" category of users with access rights to certain information, but absolutely every person who connects to the network. These actions are carried out by certain groups of interested parties at once. Moreover, each of them pursues its own goals:

• Search engines, be it Google, Opera, Yandex, etc. The main goal here is to collect information about your interests and preferences in order to show advertisements for goods or services that may potentially interest a certain person. But it is also very important to know that almost all modern search engines cooperate with intelligence agencies, albeit to varying degrees. This means that already at the first request they will provide information about your surfing on the Internet, when and what sites you visited, how long you were on them.
• Internet providers. It is quite natural, since all your traffic will pass through them. Moreover, in many countries of the world, obligations to record all information about users' network activity and store it in case it is needed by law enforcement agencies are prescribed at the legislative level. In practice, there are also cases when not particularly reliable providers cooperate with hackers, leaking information about users to them.
• Security services and law enforcement agencies. These are those who a priori should know everything and absolutely about everyone. This category is endowed with broad rights at the legislative level, has a huge number of opportunities, ranging from access to the provider's servers and up to your personal devices. In many countries of the world, there are systems for global tracking of user actions on the Internet. And huge budgets are allocated annually for their maintenance.
• Hackers. This is a group of intruders who hunt for user IP addresses, passwords and other confidential data. There are many options for fraudsters to act here. This may be a desire to get credit card details and other important information, phishing, fraud, as well as many other methods, including quite sophisticated ones. But in any case, such actions cause serious harm to individual users, as well as business representatives. In practice, it is not uncommon to see malicious viruses introduced onto a personal device, which turns an ordinary home computer into a tool for hacking bank accounts and more. Hackers can work either on their own initiative, collecting a contact database and then selling it on the Internet, or by order of a certain category of people, including business competitors.

It doesn't matter what action you perform on the Internet. As soon as you connect to the network, any of these categories of people, or even several at once, can gain access to your data. There are many tools available today to prevent such actions, but most of them, unfortunately, create only imaginary protection. For example, using a prepaid USB modem, even without concluding a personal contract, does not guarantee security. Yes, such actions can somewhat complicate the task of those who are monitoring you, but they clearly will not force them to abandon their intentions.

We must not forget that your personal computer will also be a rather vulnerable spot. If you do not use additional security tools, then various information can be easily extracted from it, including confidential data. All commercial operating systems that exist on the market today, including the popular Windows, are equipped with special tools that allow you to easily collect information about users. In addition, all information about your activities will be recorded on the hard drive of your computer. That is, if any suspicions arise, then the secret services or law enforcement agencies can easily seize your equipment and gain access to all the information. Here, information from temporary files of both the operating system itself and third-party applications, cookies, temporary network files, browser logs, Windows log files will also be analyzed. With certain knowledge, it will be possible to restore even deleted files, which will open a complete picture of your activities on the network and more.

So what can you, as an ordinary user, do to counter all this? What should be done to ensure, if not complete protection from tracking, then at least complicate the task of potential adversaries? There is a solution to this problem, which includes restricting access to data on your computer, as well as ensuring the privacy of online activities. This is exactly the combination that the anonymous Tails operating system provides.

Getting to Know the Tails Operating System

Tails is an abbreviation for The Amnesic Incognito Live System. Here we would like to draw your attention to the word "amnesic", that is, "amnesia". It indicates that during a reboot, the system will literally "forget" the user's previous activity, that is, each connection will be made literally from scratch. At one time, this operating system gained popularity thanks to Edward Snowden, the whistleblower of the US intelligence services. The history of Tails began in 2008. Initially, its name was Incognito, but soon it was renamed to Tails. The Tor Project provided financial support for the project. By the way, the modern development of this operating system, its regular updates also largely depend on this corporation in material terms. But Edward Snowden warmed up the audience's interest in the product, loudly declaring that he uses it in his work with important documents, thereby hiding his activities from prosecution by special services.

The main goal of Tails is to provide each user with truly broad opportunities for anonymous and confidential work on the Internet, as well as when working with a personal device in offline mode. The operating system is free software. This means that it implements:

1. Availability of the original operating system code. Independent experts can easily study it in order to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats. Due to this, fairly high indicators of safe operation in practice are ensured.
2. No fee for use. Both the operating system itself and all the software products included in it will be free for users.

It is also important to note that Tails is a distribution of the more famous and popular Linux operating system today, running on the Debian engine. This means that it is ideal for creating high levels of privacy protection and anonymity for users when working on the Internet.

How Tails ensures the confidentiality of user actions

You can download the Tails operating system to your personal device only from an external source. These can be USB flash drives or DVD discs. It is noteworthy that the hard drive of your personal computer will not be used at all to save temporary data and files. That is, as soon as your session is completed, all information from memory is simply deleted. Also, no information about the use of Tails will remain on the media itself. No one will be able to understand what actions the user performed on their device, even if an intruder or the same special services gain access to this media.

If you need to save any information for yourself within the current session, you should forward it to another recipient or encrypt it and write it to any other media or to a remote server.

When working with the Internet, the operating system builds an anonymous network connection. Use the "onion routing" technology, which is actively used by TOR in practice today. In this case, the traffic will be transmitted exclusively in encrypted form. Moreover, there is no way to track the end user. Using third-party programs to connect to the network bypassing this technology will be immediately blocked by the system. That is, all that the provider will see when you work with the Internet through Tails is the encrypted traffic between your personal device and the TOR entry node. And then, through a network of intermediaries, the information will reach the end user. If the provider really wants to, he can intercept and record this traffic, but he will not gain anything from this, since he will not be able to decrypt the information.

Distinctive features of the Tails operating system

The Tails operating system is used by those Internet users who need fairly high levels of anonymity and security when working online. Those who have already used this product in practice have managed to see for themselves its following features:

• Connecting to the Internet will be truly anonymous. This is ensured by routing all network traffic through the technical capabilities of TOR. That is, users can be sure of confidentiality: the personal information of the user's device, in particular its IP address and geolocation, is reliably hidden from third-party access.
• Data is transmitted in encrypted form. The operating system has its own built-in tools that can encrypt not only individual files, but also folders. There is also the ability to create and use virtual encrypted volumes. This ensures the protection of personal information, as well as reliable prevention of unauthorized access.
• History is not saved, no traces of surfing the Internet. All temporary files are instantly deleted, and with them the cache, browser history after each session. Moreover, thanks to the “amnesia” mode, information about user actions is not saved on the hard drive. It will be very problematic to restore it.
• High protection against tracking devices. The Tails operating system will automatically block material that can potentially be used to track user actions. In this case, we are also talking about Flash, JavaScript. Thanks to this, you can stop many hacker attacks and maintain your own anonymity.
• A simple and intuitive interface that allows even users with basic knowledge and skills to work with the operating system. Everything here looks very well thought out in terms of convenience. The graphical user interface looks friendly and visually understandable. Due to the fact that bootable drives are used here, be it USB or DVD, there is no need to install Tails on the hard drive of the user device.
• The presence of a fairly impressive range of tools designed to ensure the safety of work on the Internet. In particular, it implements secure instant messaging, password management, message encryption, etc.

All this allows us to confidently say that the Tails operating system can become an indispensable assistant in the work of many people, providing more than decent indicators of security and protection against the loss of important data.

Main functional capabilities of Tails

If you decide to use Tails in your work, you will be able to perform almost all the same work as in any other classic system. But at the same time, all your actions will be as confidential and anonymous as possible. In particular, we are talking about such work as:

• Internet surfing. Here, a modified version of Firefox, called Tor Browser, is used as an Internet browser. Along with the main ones, there are also additional extensions that allow you to maintain high privacy of your online activities.
• Instant messaging. In this case, we are talking about using the Pidgin chat client, which has additional extensions designed to encrypt Off-The-Record (OTR) messages.
• E-mail. As an actual mail client, Tails uses the Claws Mail program, which, among other things, also encrypts data using PGP technology. Tor Browser is also used to access mailboxes via the Internet.
• Working with text documents. To perform these tasks, a fairly impressive set of tools is used. With their help, you can both create and edit documents saved in any format. So, for the simplest text files, there is the Gedit editor, which can rightfully be called a full-fledged analogue of Notepad, built into Windows. If you have to solve more complex problems, then at your service is a full-fledged office package LibreOffice, which will not be inferior to the familiar MS Office from Microsoft. It is also convenient that there is a built-in program for studying PDF files.
• Convenient work with media files. Here we include pictures, audio, videos. Yes, the set of software solutions for editing images that is present here can be classified as basic, but, nevertheless, to solve problems that most modern users face, it will be more than enough.

Also, along with the main ones, the Tails operating system also contains additional tools that increase the convenience of work. In particular, there is a built-in notification center that will inform you if the system identifies a security threat. In this case, the corresponding notification will be displayed on your screen. It can also be seen in the TOR connection status. Many users have appreciated the virtual keyboard, which is implemented here to ensure secure data entry, passwords. In practice, such a solution should be used if the work is carried out from third-party devices, including public computers. Those that fraudsters can use to install a device to intercept the sequence of keys that the user presses.

I would also like to draw special attention to the specialized password management program KeePass. It is designed so that you can store the entire array of your passwords in encrypted form. But we would like to draw your attention to the fact that in this case you will need to place this file on a separate medium or upload it to a remote server.

The main advantages of the Tails operating system

If you compare Tails with other operating systems that exist on the market today, you can highlight a number of key advantages that make this product quite popular and in demand on the market. These advantages include:

1. Ensuring a secure and anonymous connection to the network. The operating system will route all traffic through TOR tools, which guarantees reliable protection of personal information and hiding the real IP address of the user's device. This eliminates tracking of online activities and prevents unauthorized access. The operating system has special tools that can encrypt all transferred files and folders. This is what allows you to safely store and transfer really important information. If necessary, you can create separate encrypted virtual volumes in order to add confidential data to them.
2. Ensuring high levels of protection against tracking and malware getting onto your device. All content that the system automatically classifies as potentially dangerous will be immediately blocked. This includes JavaScript and Flash. This means that Tails users can count on high levels of protection against hacking and information leakage.
3. Anonymity of use. The system does not save the history of your online activities. All information is automatically deleted as soon as you turn off or reboot your device. This also applies to browser history, temporary files, cache. That is, no one will be able to see what documents you opened, what sites you visited.
4. Convenient distribution and use format. This operating system does not require installation on a computer. It is supplied as a bootable DVD or USB drive and can be used on absolutely any device. Thanks to this, you can use Tails wherever you need it. At the same time, data portability is preserved, which will be very convenient for many specialists.
5. Ease and convenience of use. The operating system has a simple and intuitive user interface, does not require specific knowledge or skills, either at the setup stage or in subsequent use. In addition, there is a full set of security tools that allow users to simply work on the computer, connect to the Internet, without thinking about any additional measures.

These are the features that make the Tails operating system optimal for people who want to ensure privacy and security when connecting to the Internet.

Are there any disadvantages to the Tails operating system?

Despite all the advantages characteristic of this operating system, there are also a number of disadvantages that you need to know in advance, that is, before you start using it. In particular, we are talking about the following points:

1. The performance leaves much to be desired. Tails functions noticeably slower than its closest analogues. But all this is due to the presence of additional security measures and data encryption. They are what slow down the operating system.
2. Data storage will be inconsistent. By default, Tails operates in the so-called live session mode. That is, all data, including configuration files, will be deleted after you turn off your device or reboot it. On the one hand, this is intended to minimize your digital footprint on the Internet, but on the other hand, it may not be very convenient in practice if the same settings are relevant in work all the time.
3. The presence of certain restrictions on installing new applications. We have already said that the Linux distribution is the basis here, that is, there are already pre-installed programs, but their number is quite limited. But if you decide to use additional software products, then their connection will require additional work.
4. Despite the fact that the interface here is simple and quite clear even on an intuitive level, the variety of settings and functions is very wide. This is what will require the user to spend some time for a more detailed acquaintance. For people who do not often encounter such actions in practice, all this can be quite complicated.

As you can see, there are no points here that could be considered serious drawbacks. These are rather nuances that require familiarization and consideration. If you decide to use the Tails operating system in practice, now we will tell you how to install it on your device.

Sequence of actions for installing Tails

To install the Tails operating system on your device, you must perform a number of subsequent actions:

1. Go to the official website of the developer and download the latest version of this operating system for yourself. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that there is an option to check the authenticity of the downloaded product. For this, the developers have created a separate instruction, using which you can verify the integrity of the image and check the signature.
2. Prepare a DVD or USB flash drive where the operating system will be saved. All the basic requirements for the drive and the nuances of its preparation can also be found on the developer's website. Connect the disk or flash drive to your device.
3. Restart your computer and make changes to the settings so that the operating system is loaded directly from the external media. In most cases, these actions can be performed by pressing the appropriate keys. On some devices, this is F12, on others - Del. This is done directly when you turn on the computer and select a device for loading.
4. After the loading process is complete, you should select a suitable language for yourself and set up a network connection, if necessary for your work. After that, click on the "Install Tails" button and then simply follow the instructions that will appear on the screen of your device until the installation process is complete.

This process itself is not complicated, but still, the user should have certain knowledge in the field of working with a computer. In addition, it is important to familiarize yourself with the documentation and all the accompanying instructions provided on the developer's website before directly starting work.

What do you need to know about Tails security issues?

However, practical use of the Tails operating system has shown that there are a number of problems with the loudly advertised security and privacy, and quite serious ones. In particular, this includes:

• There is no virtualization. The operating system runs directly on the physical device. And this in itself increases vulnerability to various threats and viruses that can seriously harm the computer. This also creates additional risks when using peripheral devices.
• Complete dependence on the TOR system. We have already said that this operating system will run all Internet traffic through a partner network. But there is no complete guarantee of security here, there is a possibility that certain nodes of the system may be under the control of law enforcement agencies or fraudsters, which in itself will create the possibility of intercepting data.
• The ability to identify user devices. Despite hiding a fairly large amount of information, Tails does not mask the hardware indicators of the computer from which the work is being done. That is, both Internet sites and relevant programs can quite easily identify this device. Alternatively, the MAC address remains unchanged, that is, the level of anonymity can be slightly reduced.
• The presence of the so-called "zero-day vulnerability". This technology has already been used in practice to identify the identity of the attacker who used this operating system in his illegal actions. That is, if you really want to, you can still bypass the system's restrictions and identify the person.
• Use of proprietary software. The operating system includes non-free components that create additional risks for users. The lack of direct access to the source code in such applications makes you think about their security.

All these features indicate that you should completely abandon the use of the Tails operating system. Experts who have already studied this product in detail recommend using it not on a permanent basis, but in certain cases.

When using the Tails operating system will be optimal

To avoid risking your own comfort and convenience at work, use the Tails operating system in the following cases:

1. Working from other people's computers. If you often have to perform actions from third-party devices in your daily professional activities, then this operating system will be an indispensable assistant for you. You can easily use it on someone else's computer directly through a flash drive. In addition, it will not leave traces of your actions, which minimizes all possible risks of use in an untrusted environment.
2. Analysis of files that can potentially contain malicious content. We have already said that Tails will block those files that will cause it even the slightest suspicion. That is, the likelihood of infecting your computer with malware is minimized.
3. Creating cold cryptocurrency wallets. The Tails operating system will be ideal for those users who are looking for the most reliable, secure storage for cryptocurrency and any operations with digital assets.

If at least one of these actions is expected, then you should think about the advisability of using Tails as an additional operating system.

Let's summarize

Despite the fact that the developer positions the Tails operating system as a tool for absolutely anonymous and secure work on the Internet, practice has still shown its certain vulnerabilities. But for temporary use, for quick access to secure tools, it can be used in practice. Yes, there are strengths and weaknesses, but still the effectiveness of the application will directly depend on the conditions in which it is planned to be launched.

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