Tails OS USB Thumbdrive
Portable Privacy Operating System
Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is a portable operating system that protects your privacy and anonymity. Pre-installed on a high-quality USB thumbdrive, it can be booted on almost any computer without leaving traces of your activity. All internet connections are automatically routed through the Tor network, and the system is designed to use encryption by default.
Technical Specifications
Boots directly from USB without installation or modification to the host computer. Runs entirely from RAM, leaving no trace on the machine. The operating system is read-only, preventing persistent malware infection.
All internet connections automatically routed through Tor network, providing anonymity by obscuring IP address and location. Connection blocking prevents non-Tor network access. No clearnet bypass possible without explicit user action.
System resets to clean state on shutdown or reboot. RAM contents cryptographically wiped during power-off. No persistent storage of browsing history, temporary files, or activity logs unless explicitly configured with encrypted persistence.
LUKS-encrypted persistent storage option available for retaining documents and settings between sessions. Encrypted communications via PGP, OTR, and HTTPS. Full disk encryption for any data you choose to save.
Includes Tor Browser, Thunderbird with Enigmail for encrypted email, KeePassXC password manager, OnionShare for anonymous file sharing, Electrum Bitcoin wallet, and LibreOffice suite for document editing.
Boots on most x86-64 computers from the past 10 years. Works with BIOS and UEFI firmware. Compatible with Windows PCs, Macs (Intel-based), and Linux machines. No drivers or software installation required on host.
Automatic metadata cleaning tool removes identifying information from documents and images before sharing. Protection against document watermarking, EXIF data leakage, and hidden forensic identifiers.
High-quality USB 3.0 thumbdrive with write-protect switch for read-only operation. Minimum 8GB capacity. Durable metal or reinforced plastic housing. Pre-verified Tails installation with secure boot capabilities.
Compatible with UEFI Secure Boot on modern systems. Verified boot chain ensures system integrity. Digital signatures prevent unauthorized modification. Automatic update verification for new Tails releases.
MAC address randomization prevents hardware fingerprinting. No DNS leaks outside Tor. Protection against common deanonymization attacks. Isolation of different identities through separate Tor circuits.
Based on Debian Linux with extensive security hardening. Fully auditable open-source codebase. Regular security updates from Tails development team. Community-reviewed and independently verified security model.
Optional encrypted persistent volume can store: PGP keys, SSH keys, browser bookmarks, email client configuration, additional software, and personal documents. Unlocked only with passphrase at boot time.
Use Cases
Investigative Journalism
Secure communications with confidential sources, anonymous research, and protection of unpublished materials from seizure or surveillance.
Human Rights & Activism
Anonymous organizing, protection from state surveillance, secure coordination in hostile environments, and safeguarding of sensitive documentation.
Travel Security
Using untrusted computers safely, avoiding border device inspection, accessing sensitive accounts from public terminals, and preventing hotel/cafe network surveillance.
Whistleblowing & Disclosure
Anonymous submission of evidence, protection of source identity, secure document verification, and untraceable communication channels.
Important Usage Notes
Threat Model Awareness: Tails protects against network surveillance and local forensics but cannot protect against hardware keyloggers, compromised BIOS/firmware, or physical surveillance. Always verify the boot process hasn't been tampered with.
Persistent Security: While Tails leaves no trace by default, enabling persistent storage creates an encrypted volume that must be protected. Use strong passphrases and understand the risks of persistent data.
Tor Limitations: Tor provides anonymity but not magic. Logging into personal accounts, posting identifying information, or downloading malware can deanonymize you despite using Tor.