Here’s a complete tutorial on Tails OS — from what it is, how to install it, and how to use it safely for anonymous browsing, communication, and file work.
🧾 Table of Contents
- 🔍 What is Tails OS?
- 💡 Why Use Tails?
- 📦 What You Need
- 🧰 Installation Guide
- 🚀 First Boot & Setup
- 🌐 Using Tails: Features & Tools
- 🛡 Security Best Practices
- ❓ FAQ
1. 🔍 What is Tails OS?
Tails OS is a privacy-focused Linux distribution that:
- Runs from a USB stick or DVD (no installation on your computer)
- Routes all internet traffic through Tor
- Leaves no trace on the host machine (amnesic)
- Includes encryption tools, secure chat/email, and document tools
Official site: https://tails.boum.org
2. 💡 Why Use Tails?
| Use Case | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Anonymous internet browsing | Uses Tor by default |
| No traces left behind | Doesn’t touch your disk |
| Secure file storage | Encrypted persistence option |
| Safe communication | Preinstalled with PGP, Tor Chat |
| Whistleblowing / Censorship bypass | Trusted by journalists, NGOs |
3. 📦 What You Need
- 🖥 A computer (PC or Mac)
- 🔌 A minimum 8 GB USB stick (16+ GB recommended)
- 💿 Tails ISO image (from official site)
- 🛠 Tails Installer (or Balena Etcher if you’re on Windows/Linux)
4. 🧰 How to Install Tails OS (USB Method)
✅ Step-by-Step Installation (Windows/Mac/Linux):
Step 1: Download Tails
- From official website:
👉 https://tails.boum.org/install/
Step 2: Verify the Image (Recommended)
- Use the browser extension or checksum verification to verify integrity
Step 3: Create Bootable USB
Use a tool like:
- Tails Installer (preferred, on Linux)
- Balena Etcher (cross-platform)
- Rufus (Windows)
Burn the ISO image to the USB drive.
Step 4: Boot Into Tails
- Restart your computer
- Enter the boot menu (F12, ESC, DEL — varies by device)
- Boot from USB
5. 🚀 First Boot & Setup
- You’ll see the Tails Greeter
- Choose:
- Language & Keyboard
- Enable/disable Persistent Storage (optional)
- Enable Admin password (if needed for software changes)
- Start Tails OS
🎉 You are now inside a secure, Tor-powered system!
6. 🌐 Using Tails: Key Features
🌍 Tor Browser
- All web traffic routes through Tor automatically
- No history saved
- Use
.onionsites securely
🗃 Persistent Storage (Optional)
- Encrypted space on the USB stick
- Stores bookmarks, GPG keys, documents
- Must be manually enabled
🔐 Included Security Tools
| Tool | Function |
|---|---|
| Tor Browser | Anonymous internet browsing |
| KeePassXC | Secure password management |
| Thunderbird + Enigmail | Encrypted email |
| MAT | Metadata anonymization for files |
| VeraCrypt | Open encrypted containers |
| LibreOffice | Word processor for offline work |
7. 🛡 Security Best Practices
- ✅ Always use HTTPS
- ✅ Avoid logging into personal accounts (e.g., Google)
- ✅ Never enable scripts in Tor Browser
- ✅ Don’t open downloaded files on non-Tails OS
- ✅ Use Persistent Storage sparingly and encrypted
8. ❓ FAQ
Q: Can Tails OS be traced?
A: Not easily. It anonymizes your IP via Tor and leaves no trace on your hard disk.
Q: Can I install Tails OS permanently?
A: It is designed to be live-only. It’s intentionally non-persistent.
Q: What happens if I shut down?
A: All memory is wiped. It’s as if you never used the system — unless you enable encrypted persistent storage.
Q: Is Tails OS legal?
A: ✅ Yes, it is completely legal in most countries. But how you use it determines legality.
🧭 Summary
| Feature | Tails OS Description |
|---|---|
| Based On | Debian Linux |
| Anonymity | All traffic via Tor |
| Data Storage | No by default (can enable encrypted storage) |
| Usage Type | Live OS via USB |
| Best For | Privacy, security, anonymity, whistleblowing |