How to Erase Your Digital Footprint with Tails OS

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You know how it feels like we’re constantly being watched online these days? That’s exactly why Tails OS exists – it’s like a digital invisibility cloak for your computer.

Tails (which stands for “The Amnesic Incognito Live System”) is this brilliant operating system that runs straight from a USB stick, completely bypassing your computer’s hard drive.

Create Tails OS bootable USB for privacy

Here’s what’s really awesome about Tails: it’s built to leave zero trace. When you’re finished and yank that USB stick out? It’s like you were never there. No browsing history, no temporary files, no digital crumbs for anyone to follow. It’s the closest thing to digital magic I’ve seen.

What You’ll Need to Create a Tails Bootable USB

Before we jump into the installation process, let’s gather everything you’ll need to create your own Tails bootable USB:

  • USB Flash Drive: You’ll need at least an 8GB USB drive. I recommend using a USB 3.0 drive for better performance, as this will significantly speed up both the installation process and your experience when running Tails.
  • Internet Connection: You’ll need to download the Tails OS image file and installation software.
  • Computer Access: You’ll need access to a computer where you can download files and write to the USB drive.
  • About 30 Minutes: The whole process isn’t complicated, but downloading the necessary files and writing them to the USB drive can take some time.

That’s it! You don’t need any technical expertise or special equipment. The process is straightforward enough that anyone can do it, regardless of their technical background.

Important: Be aware that creating a Tails USB will completely erase any data currently on your USB drive. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Tails OS

Now that you have everything you need, let’s walk through the process of creating your Tails bootable USB drive:

1. Download the Tails OS Image

First, head over to the official Tails website at tails.net and click on the “Install Tails” button. You’ll be asked to select your current operating system – choose Windows, macOS, or Linux depending on what you’re using.

Click on the download button to get the Tails USB image. This file is quite large (around 1.2GB), so it might take a while depending on your internet connection.

Useful Resources:

2. Verify the Download (Recommended)

Once the download is complete, it’s a good security practice to verify that the file hasn’t been tampered with. The Tails website provides a verification button that will check the integrity of your download. This step isn’t mandatory, but it’s recommended for maximum security.

3. Download and Install Balena Etcher

Next, you’ll need a program to write the Tails image to your USB drive. Balena Etcher is recommended for this purpose because it’s easy to use and available for all major operating systems.

Download Balena Etcher from their official website and install it on your computer.

Alternative Tools:

4. Write the Tails Image to Your USB Drive

Now it’s time to create your Tails USB:

  1. Insert your USB drive into your computer
  2. Open Balena Etcher
  3. Click on “Flash from file” and select the Tails image you downloaded
  4. Click on “Select target” and choose your USB drive
  5. Double-check that you’ve selected the correct drive! This process will completely erase everything on the selected drive
  6. Click “Flash” to begin writing the image to your USB drive

The flashing process typically takes 5-10 minutes, depending on your computer’s speed and the USB drive’s performance. Etcher will verify the write operation once it’s complete to ensure everything was copied correctly.

If you’re using Windows, you might see some pop-up messages about formatting the drive after the process is complete. Ignore these messages and close them – your Tails USB is already properly formatted.

That’s it! Your Tails bootable USB drive is now ready to use. In the next section, we’ll cover how to boot from your new Tails USB and set it up for the first time.

First Boot and Setup Process

Now that you have your Tails USB drive ready, it’s time to boot into Tails and set it up. This process might seem a bit technical, but I’ll break it down into simple steps:

1. Boot from Your Tails USB Drive

To start Tails, you need to tell your computer to boot from the USB drive instead of the internal hard drive:

  1. Insert your Tails USB drive into your computer
  2. Restart your computer
  3. During startup, you’ll need to access the boot menu or BIOS settings. This varies by computer manufacturer, but typically involves pressing a key like F12, F2, F10, Esc, or Delete during the early startup screen
  4. Once in the boot menu, select your USB drive from the list of boot options
  5. If you can’t find a boot menu, you might need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings to prioritize USB devices
If you’re not sure which key to press for the boot menu on your computer, watch for a message during startup that says something like “Press [key] for boot options” or search online for “[your computer model] boot menu key”.
2. Welcome to Tails

After selecting your USB drive, your computer will boot into Tails. You’ll see a welcome screen with a few options:

  • Language and keyboard layout selection
  • Additional settings (if needed)
  • “Start Tails” button

Select your preferred language and keyboard layout, then click “Start Tails” to continue.

3. Setting Up Persistent Storage (Optional but Recommended)

When you boot Tails for the first time, you’ll be asked if you want to enable persistent storage. This is an encrypted portion of your USB drive where you can save:

  • Personal documents and files
  • Browser bookmarks
  • Email client settings
  • Wi-Fi passwords
  • And other configuration settings

To set up persistent storage:

  1. Click on “Configure persistent volume” when prompted
  2. Create a strong passphrase (password) that you’ll remember
  3. Select which types of data you want to persist between sessions
  4. Click “Create” to set up the persistent storage

Remember that you’ll need to enter this passphrase each time you want to access your persistent storage, so make it strong but memorable.

4. Connecting to the Internet through Tor

Tails routes all your internet traffic through the Tor network for anonymity. When you first connect to the internet in Tails, you’ll see the Tor connection wizard:

  1. If your network requires special configuration, click “Configure” and follow the prompts
  2. Otherwise, click “Connect to Tor automatically”
  3. Wait for Tails to establish a connection to the Tor network

Once connected, you’ll have access to the internet through the Tor Browser, which is designed to protect your privacy online.

While Tor provides strong anonymity, it’s not completely bulletproof. For maximum security, avoid logging into personal accounts or sharing identifying information while using Tails.

Congratulations! You’re now running Tails OS, a secure and private operating system that leaves no trace on the host computer. In the next section, we’ll explore some of the key features and security tools included with Tails.

Key Features and Security Tools Included with Tails

Tails comes packed with privacy-focused applications and security features that make it a powerful tool for protecting your digital privacy. Let’s explore some of the most important ones:

Tor Browser

The centerpiece of Tails is the Tor Browser, a modified version of Firefox designed to protect your privacy online. It routes all your web traffic through the Tor network, which:

  • Hides your real IP address and location
  • Encrypts your connection through multiple layers
  • Makes it difficult for websites to track you
  • Allows access to .onion sites (Tor hidden services)

Learn More:

Encrypted Messaging with Pidgin

Tails includes Pidgin, a messaging application that supports the OTR (Off-the-Record) protocol for encrypted chat. This allows you to have private conversations that can’t be logged or monitored by third parties.

Related Resources:

Email with Thunderbird

Thunderbird is included for email, with the Enigmail extension that makes it easy to use OpenPGP encryption for your emails. This provides end-to-end encryption for your messages, ensuring that only the intended recipient can read them.

Useful Links:

KeePassXC Password Manager

Managing strong, unique passwords is essential for security. Tails includes KeePassXC, a secure password manager that can store all your passwords in an encrypted database, protected by a single master password. For more tips on creating and managing secure passwords, check out our guide on essential password tools.

Resources:

OnionShare for Secure File Sharing

OnionShare allows you to share files securely and anonymously over the Tor network. It creates a temporary website hosted as a Tor hidden service, which only the person with the unique URL can access.

Learn More:

Metadata Cleaner

Files often contain hidden metadata that can reveal personal information. Tails includes tools to remove this metadata from documents, images, and other files before sharing them.

Encryption Tools

Tails comes with several encryption tools that allow you to:

  • Create encrypted volumes to store sensitive files
  • Encrypt individual files and messages
  • Securely delete files so they can’t be recovered
Memory Wiping on Shutdown

One of the most important security features of Tails is that it completely wipes the computer’s RAM when you shut down. This ensures that no sensitive data remains in memory that could be recovered later.

Network Monitoring Tools

For more advanced users, Tails includes tools to monitor network connections and verify that everything is routing through Tor as expected.

While Tails provides excellent privacy tools, the most important security factor is always your own behavior. Be mindful of what information you share online, even when using Tails.

These tools make Tails a complete privacy solution, not just an operating system. In the next section, we’ll discuss some best practices and limitations to be aware of when using Tails.

Best Practices and Limitations

While Tails is a powerful privacy tool, it’s not a magic solution that makes you completely invisible online. Here are some important best practices and limitations to keep in mind:

Essential Tor Network Best Practices

Since Tails routes all internet traffic through the Tor network, it’s crucial to follow these Tor network best practices:

  1. Always Use HTTPS: While Tor anonymizes your traffic, exit nodes can still see unencrypted data. Use HTTPS Everywhere extension to ensure secure connections.
  2. Disable JavaScript and Plugins: Active content like JavaScript and Flash can bypass Tor’s protection. Keep them disabled in Tor Browser settings.
  3. Avoid P2P File Sharing: Tor isn’t designed for torrenting. It can compromise your anonymity and slow down the network for others.
  4. Use Secure Email Services: Never use your real email with Tails. Consider anonymous email services that work well with Tor.
  5. Choose Privacy-Focused Search Engines: Instead of Google, use Tor-friendly search engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage.

For a comprehensive guide on maximizing your security with Tor, check out our detailed article on The Do’s and Don’ts of Tor Network.

Best Practices
  • Keep Tails Updated

    Always make sure you’re running the latest version of Tails. Security updates are released regularly to patch vulnerabilities. Tails will notify you when updates are available, and you should install them promptly.

  • Use Strong Passwords

    If you set up persistent storage, protect it with a strong, unique passphrase. The same goes for any accounts you access while using Tails.

  • Be Careful with Personal Information

    Tails can hide your location and identity, but if you log into personal accounts or share identifying information, you’re compromising your anonymity.

  • Use HTTPS Whenever Possible

    The Tor Browser will encourage HTTPS connections, but always double-check that you’re using encrypted connections, especially for sensitive activities.

  • Be Patient

    Browsing through Tor is slower than normal internet browsing because your traffic is being routed through multiple servers around the world. This is the price of anonymity.

Limitations
  • Tails Can’t Protect Against All Threats

    While Tails provides strong protection against many threats, it can’t protect against everything. For example, it can’t protect against hardware keyloggers or some sophisticated malware attacks.

  • Tor Has Its Own Limitations

    The Tor network itself has limitations. Some exit nodes could potentially be monitored, and certain advanced correlation attacks could potentially de-anonymize users.

  • Performance Limitations

    Running an operating system from a USB drive is generally slower than running from an internal hard drive. Additionally, routing through Tor adds latency to your internet connection.

  • Some Websites Block Tor

    Some websites block access from Tor exit nodes to prevent abuse. You might find that certain sites are inaccessible or require CAPTCHA verification when accessed through Tor.

When Not to Use Tails

Tails isn’t the right tool for every situation. Here are some cases where you might want to consider alternatives:

  • When you need high-performance computing
  • For gaming or streaming high-definition video
  • When you need to install specialized software not included with Tails
  • For day-to-day computing tasks where privacy isn’t a concern

Conclusion

Tails OS offers a powerful solution for digital privacy in an era of increasing surveillance. This guide has covered:

While Tails provides strong protection, it’s most effective when combined with other privacy tools. Its accessibility makes powerful privacy features available to all users, not just security experts.

Create your Tails USB today to take control of your digital privacy. Store it securely and consider making a backup for added protection.

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