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| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]] ([[Linux kernel|Linux]])
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]] ([[Linux kernel|Linux]])
| ui = [[GNOME 2]]
| ui = [[GNOME 2]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License#Version 3|GPL v3+]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License#Version 3|GNU GPL v3+]]
| website = {{URL|https://tails.boum.org}}
| website = {{URL|https://tails.boum.org}}
| updatemodel =
| updatemodel =

Revision as of 10:28, 1 April 2014

The Amnesic Incognito Live System
Tails logo
Tails OS
OS familyUnix-like
Working stateActive
Initial releaseJune 23, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-06-23)
Latest release0.23 / 19 March 2014; 10 years ago (2014-03-19)
Repository
Platformsx86
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
Default
user interface		GNOME 2
LicenseGNU GPL v3+
Preceded byIncognito LiveCD
Official websitetails.boum.org

The Amnesic Incognito Live System or Tails is a security-focused Debian-based Linux distribution aimed at preserving privacy and anonymity.[1] It is the next iteration of development on the previous Gentoo-based Incognito Linux distribution.[2] All its outgoing connections are forced to go through Tor,[3] and direct (non-anonymous) connections are blocked. The system is designed to be booted as a live DVD or live USB, and will leave no trace (digital footprint) on the machine unless explicitly told to do so. The Tor Project has provided most of the financial support for development.[4]

License agreement

The Amnesic Incognito Live System is free software released under the GNU/GPL (version 3 or above).[5]

Bundled software

Networking:

Stream isolation
Regular and obfsproxy bridges support
The Vidalia graphical frontend
TorBrowser patches
Torbutton for anonymity and protection against JavaScript
HTTPS Everywhere a Firefox extension which transparently enables SSL-encrypted connections to a great number of major websites
All cookies are treated as session cookies by default; the CS Lite extension provides more fine-grained cookie control for those who need it

Encryption and privacy:

One may choose at boot time among a large number of languages.

Known Problems[6]

Security Issues:

  • Tails might not erase all the system memory upon shutdown
  • On rare systems (non-PAE with big amounts of memory), Tails does not consistently erase all system memory, as it normally would.
  • After using Tails Installer, the "emergency shutdown" does not work
  • Tails Installer messes a little too much with the USB devices for the "emergency shutdown on media removal" feature to continue working after using it. If it believed this feature is critical for the session running, it is advised to reboot Tails.
  • Tails DVD eject failure
  • Pressing the DVD eject button does not trigger emergency shutdown. Also, the "normal" shutdown procedure does not eject the DVD anymore.
  • Stream isolation inconsistency in Claws Mail
  • Claws Mail isn't using its dedicated Tor SocksPort for Tor hidden service IMAP/POP/SMTP servers (instead Tor's TransPort is used). This is just a deviation from Tails' design and should not have any adverse real world consequences.
  • Tails fails to completely shutdown or restart
  • When ending Tails on some hardware, the memory wipe procedure fails to complete: the display gets scrambled, but the computer doesn't completely shutdown or restart. Occasionally, the caps-lock button light of the keyboard flashes.When this happens, there is no guarantee that the memory is wiped completely.This issue has been reported on the following:
    • Hewlett-Packard HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook PC
    • Lenovo ThinkPad X61, only on emergency shutdown when pulling out the USB stick
    • Toshiba Satellite C855D
    • Dell Inc. Studio 1458
    • Fujitsu Lifebook AH531/GFO, only on regular shutdown, emergency shutdown works

Fingerprint:

  • Browser window resizing is not reliable

Other Issues:

  • Connecting to FTP servers is not possible
  • Public FTP servers on the Internet are not reachable using Tails.
  • YouTube videos are difficult to get
  • HTML5 video are not easily seen on YouTube. When the message “This video is currently unavailable” appears, the video can actually be viewed. Right-click on the page, select NoScript -> Blocked objects and Temporarily allow… the video.
  • Tails will never support videos that require Flash (those with ads).
  • "Connect automatically" for NetworkManager connections isn't persistent
  • When the "Network Connections" persistence feature is activated, the "Connect automatically" setting is not saved for any connection. While this is a bug, it is actually a good one. NetworkManager itself enables this option by default for all new connections, and could result in users re-connecting to a previous network at times when that isn’t what they wanted.
  • Tails fails to connect to certain Wi-Fi networks
  • This may be related to the introduction of wireless regulation support in Tails 0.13.
  • Tails could behave better when run inside VirtualBox
  • Since 0.17.1, VirtualBox guest modules are not shipped anymore.

New Identity Feature:

  • Since Tails 0.21, the "New Identity" feature in the web browser is now unavailable.
  • As a workaround it is possible to:
  1. Close the web browser.
  2. Right-click on the Vidalia icon and choose "New identity".
  3. Reopen the web browser.
  • TorBrowser takes too long to shutdown
  • Since Tails 0.22, the browser is sometimes slow to shutdown. Waiting a few more seconds is typically enough to let it close itself correctly.

Version history

Version number Release date
version 0.23 Wednesday 19 March 2014
version 0.22.1 Tuesday 4 February 2014
version 0.22 Thursday 11 December 2013
version 0.21 Thursday 29 October 2013
version 0.20.1 Thursday 19 September 2013
version 0.20 Friday 9 August 2013
version 0.19 Wednesday 26 June 2013
version 0.18 Saturday 18 May 2013
version 0.17.2 Tuesday 9 Apr 2013
version 0.17.1 Saturday 23 Mar 2013
version 0.17 Saturday 25 Feb 2013
version 0.16 Saturday 12 Jan 2013
version 0.15 Thursday 28 Nov 2012
version 0.14 Tuesday 13 Nov 2012
version 0.13 Monday 17 Sept 2012
version 0.12.1 Wednesday 6 July 2012
version 0.12 Wednesday 13 June 2012
version 0.11 Wednesday 25 April 2012
version 0.10.2 Monday 5 March 2012
version 0.10.1 Monday 30 January 2012
version 0.10 Wednesday 4 January 2012
version 0.9 Friday 11 November 2011
version 0.8.1 Sunday 16 October 2011
version 0.8 Wednesday 21 September 2011
version 0.7.2 Monday 13 June 2011
version 0.7.1 Saturday 30 April 2011
version 0.7 Thursday 7 April 2011

See also

References

  1. ^ Vervloesem, Koen (April 27, 2011), "The Amnesic Incognito Live System: A live CD for anonymity", LWN.net, retrieved August 12, 2012
  2. ^ Gray, James (September 16, 2011), "The Tails Project's The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails)", Linux Journal, retrieved August 12, 2012
  3. ^ "Anonym im Netz", TecChannel (in German), February 6, 2012, retrieved August 12, 2012 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Finances". Tails. April 4, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  5. ^ "Tails 0.11 incognito live system released", The H, April 30, 2012, retrieved August 12, 2012
  6. ^ [1]TAILS - Known Issues. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  7. ^ Liberté Linux vs TAILS
  8. ^ Ipredia OS
  9. ^ TAILS alternatives
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