14 DAY TRIAL // Tails, or The Amnesic Incognito Live System, is a Linux distribution that has a single purpose, to protect its users from prying eyes and to insure total anonymity, whether online or offline.
Tails is, above all else, a Linux distribution and is based on Debian. It shares some of the characteristics of the Linux base, but it integrates a unique collection of applications that are available for users who want to remain anonymous.
For this purpose, the OS has cryptographic tools that allow people to encrypt anything, ranging from files and folders to simple email messages, users don't leave any sort of trace on the computer that is running this OS, and all the network traffic is routed through the TOR network, making it hard (if not impossible) to track the data.
This latest iteration of Tails doesn't have a lot of new features, but the developers have made some important modifications to the system, especially in regard to some of the packages, like the Internet browser.
Tails 1.2 is available for download
A very interesting aspect is that the developers are not known. They work together for this project, but no one really knows who they are. This helps keep the project clean and no one can really point any fingers if someone were to look for them.
"It is a complete operating system designed to be used from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card independently of the computer's original operating system. It is Free Software and based on Debian GNU/Linux. Tails comes with several built-in applications pre-configured with security in mind: web browser, instant messaging client, email client, office suite, image and sound editor, etc."
"Using Tails on a computer doesn't alter or depend on the operating system installed on it. So you can use it in the same way on your computer, a friend's or one at your local library. After shutting down Tails, the computer can start again on its usual operating system," say the devs.
One of the most important changes in Tails 1.2 is the replacement of the Iceweasel Internet browser with Tor Browser, which is based on the latest 4.0 release and Firefox 31.2 ESR. Also, all the applications are now confined with Apparmor, the Linux kernel has been updated to version 3.16.5-1, and VirtualBox guest additions should now work by default, improving the performance of the OS in a virtual machine.
You can download the latest Tails 1.2 release from Softpedia and give it a spin. This is a Live CD and users should have no problem with it.