/r/tails

Photograph via //r/tails

Tails is a live operating system aimed at protecting your privacy and anonymity that you can start on almost any computer from a USB stick or a DVD.

Tails is a live operating system aimed at protecting your privacy and anonymity that you can start on almost any computer from a USB stick or a DVD. Get Tails.

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Installation

System Requirements

  • Either an internal or external DVD reader or the possibility to boot from a USB stick/SD card.

  • Tails requires a 64-bit x86-64 compatible processor: IBM PC compatible and others but not PowerPC nor ARM. Mac computers are IBM PC compatible since 2006. Tails does not run on most tablets and phones.

  • 2 GB of RAM to work smoothly. It is possible to run with less, but crashes, slowness, and strange behavior is possible.

What This Sub Is

This subreddit is for the latest news and updates regarding Tails, requesting Tails support, and discussion regarding the Tails project.

What This Sub Is Not

This is not a place for posting general privacy-related news, other privacy-focused software, or individual onion services. Please see the "Related Subreddits" list below for recommendations regarding these topics.

Related Links

Related Subreddits

/r/tails

102,501 Subscribers

2

When logging off, it showed a bunch of command line looking stuff

I've only used tails a couple times but when I shut down, it usually turns of quick. This last time it went black and had a bunch of lines beginning with like "system/log...." and lingered. I just unplugged it. This was the first time I tried with a default bridge.

Did I get a virus or something?

2 Comments
2024/03/28
16:42 UTC

1

Can’t connect to network

So I have an ethernet cable going to my motherboard, from an extended. My pc doesn’t have a Wi-fi card installed - whenever I try and connect to wired it just says ‘Connecting’, How can I get this to work? Apologies, I am new..

1 Comment
2024/03/28
15:23 UTC

3

Config failed, hub doesn't have any ports! (err -19)

After reading a bit on different linux forums it seems like everyone that is getting "hub 8-0:1.0: config failed, hub doesn't have any ports! (err -19)" in the error log when the system fails to boot has the Ryzen 9 CPU in their PC and there is no other solution to fix it other than waiting until Tails switches to 6.5+ kernel of the Debian 12 or devs implement newer driver package in the next installment.

However, surprisingly, I had no problems when running 15.20 Tails version on my 7800x3d iGPU and it was only when I updated it to 15.21 it stopped booting. Then when I did the fresh 6.1 install it booted for me once, on the first run, and never again which makes me think that there could be some workaround to run it.

I did try the nouveau.modeset=0 and nomodeset=1 and it didn't solve anything.
Does anyone have any clues or ideas how to start the Tails with older iGPU driver pack? Or maybe to skip some HW/GPU checks, or to force whatever was set in the first run that allowed the booting to proceed?

I know that some of you will say to stick to the older hardware that has no compatibility problems, but I already know that and that's not my point. Since it was possible to run it before and once more on 6.1 it seems that there is still a way.

0 Comments
2024/03/28
14:10 UTC

1

voip

Are there any options for a VOIP in Tails?

0 Comments
2024/03/27
22:14 UTC

2

Laptop suggestions

I want to buy a laptop that is compatible with tails and most of the security programs etc.

Also do you think I should use windows or Linux, when it comes to security and compatibility.

Price range would be on the lower end, very high performance is not needed, maybe around 200-500$.

9 Comments
2024/03/27
06:25 UTC

2

I'm connected and using tor but when I try to open the circuits it says I'm not connected?

This has been happening recently..

4 Comments
2024/03/27
04:58 UTC

3

Does issue with TOR have an implications on TAILS 6.0?

Seems like TOR had an update, not sure how this effects TAILS if at all. Any insights here? Thank you!

https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-13013/

2 Comments
2024/03/27
02:53 UTC

1

BalenaEtcher fails to validate Tails flash to USB

Hello all,

I'm having issues with flashing Tails into an USB. I've tried DataTraveler 100 G3 16Gb and Kingston 32Gb multiple times on both. The flash validation fails each time. I'm flashing from an Acer Helios 300 laptop.

Laptop specs :

  • Intel Core i7-9750H (2,60-4,50GHz) (BNCH-11374b)
  • 16GB DDR4 2666MHz
  • M.2 PCIe SSD 1000GB
  • nVidia GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6
  • WiFi / BT / USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 Typ-C / LAN / HDMI

Thank you in advance for any help and advice.

3 Comments
2024/03/26
15:13 UTC

2

Does tails use FAT32?

I used to always get an error when moving things to an usb stick and i thought it was because they were over 4gb, I split them into smaller parts and got no errors. Now for some reason I can move them without any problems, why is that?

1 Comment
2024/03/26
08:36 UTC

1

Problems with booting

Okay, I downloaded tails, installed it on my USB stick, shut down the computer and restartet it while pressing shift. Then I choose use a device. I select my USB stick and this message shows up: “System doesn’t have any USB boot option. Please select other option in Boot Manager Menu”

The first time it worked, I had access to tails, set the language and connected to WiFi. Why doesn’t it work anymore? Can anyone help please?

1 Comment
2024/03/25
21:25 UTC

1

Using tails on internal SSD?

I have been wanting to download tails but don’t have a big enough usb stick to hand, would it work if I installed it onto a spare ssd and just boot it from my PC’s bios instead of my main SSD with windows?

3 Comments
2024/03/25
20:25 UTC

1

Tails error message when trying to boot up

This message comes up every time I try to boot up tails, was wondering if someone could tell me what it means and what I could do to fix it possibly?

2 Comments
2024/03/25
17:06 UTC

6

Message when turning off

Hey guys someone can help me understand why i get this message when turning off Tails? It started when i upgraded manually from 5.22. I followed instructions and all was okay but getting this. Thanks in advance. Any help is appreciated.

4 Comments
2024/03/25
17:03 UTC

4

My laptop's network adaptor is incompatible with tails, could i use an external usb one intead?

Title

6 Comments
2024/03/25
16:23 UTC

2

i am unable to boot linux second time.

after selecting USB drive for booting, it shows linux kernel is running and after that a complete black screen (sometimes pc automatically goes in shutdown). what is happening? pls someone help.

2 Comments
2024/03/25
11:52 UTC

5

Broken tails help needed

I did a hard restart when my older version of tails was crashing every 30 min or so now I can’t open it in the boot menu. I got the new version on a new usb and followed the instructions from https://tails.net/doc/persistent_storage/recover/index.en.html but still nothing works. When I plug in the old usb and open files the usb is recognized but when is enter the password I get this message

https://preview.redd.it/f99ukzkv7eqc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7931bfc3ecf7452fcb90859e9f8e093a600853c6

Then when I try to check the file system I get this message

https://preview.redd.it/rx9y7r7d8eqc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7dd8ea13912ab71f4307fb6495e4eef35b74912c

I’m unable to mount the old usb and tails stops detecting it after a few minutes. Does anyone have any idea of how I can fix this as I have several important passwords in my persistent storage that I stupidly didn’t back up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

4 Comments
2024/03/25
02:49 UTC

1

Additional Software Internet Issues.

Hi! I'm trying to install some additional software that requires the internet to function, but it says I'm not connected to the internet, even if I am, is there a permission I need to change someone?

3 Comments
2024/03/25
01:02 UTC

2

Curious: Running tails on my home network.

Hey Folks, I value privacy and I love tails. But Im also new to the linux world. Ive got a home network with multiple windows computers, smart home devices and a Synology drive for movies etc. I want to use an old laptop I have with Tails on a USB.

I understand Tails uses Tor , but how does that protect me if it is going through my wifi to my router first? How private is this?

I understand my ISP will see Im using Tor but not not able to see the traffic, and any sites I visit will only see the Tor nodes and not my IP, But am I putting my home network at a higher risk of attacks or malware by running a Tails devices on it?

Basically is there anything I should be aware of to stay safe and keep my network safe?

4 Comments
2024/03/24
10:41 UTC

1

Cakewallet on tails

Hi, anyone run into any trouble with this? I have followed the guide on their page but get "illegal instruction" at the first step after extraction. I extracted it to the place they made in their guide being a cake_wallet subd off persistent.

0 Comments
2024/03/23
23:09 UTC

0

Anyone have luck using Tails on an older Mac Book?

I have a Mac Book Pro thats about 10+ years old. Still works ok, battery is shot but I replaced the disk drive with a SSD years ago. I’ve read Macs are hit or miss running Tails successfully. Wondering if anyone else has had luck using something similar?

13 Comments
2024/03/23
21:13 UTC

1

Am I compromised?

How could somone check if their System was compromised or being activly hacked? I think this is a important question after the latest tor exploit. Any tips or points towards the right blogs, videos... are helpful :)

7 Comments
2024/03/23
14:57 UTC

2

Boot problem (i think)

I know the screen is shit so here comes the text: "Error starting GDM with your 2 graphics cards: NVIDIA Corporation [10de:1d01] GP108 [GeForce GT 1030] ASPEED Technology, Inc. [1a03:2000] ASPEED Graphics Family"

I disabled nvidia and tried again but got the same result. If anyone has a solution, I sincerely ask you to teach me.

1 Comment
2024/03/23
13:27 UTC

30

Javascript Exploit In Tor Shipped with 6.0

Tor just put out an emergency release to bring in an important Firefox update.

https://blog.torproject.org/new-release-tor-browser-13013/

There is a serious javascript exploit in Firefox allowing for arbitrary execution in the parent process. This was just fixed.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2024-16/#CVE-2024-29944

It is already best practice to put your security level to safest so that noscript blocks javascript, but now that there is a known vulnerability be extra careful. As soon as we get a new version of tails you should update to it ASAP.

7 Comments
2024/03/22
22:32 UTC

3

Does Tails OS work on an RX4070 GPU?

Does Tails OS work on an RX4070 GPU? I read on the tails website that it MIGHT not, but didn't really specify whether or not I should try it, or maybe I just didn't understand because of the wording. I have a laptop that runs a Geforce RTX4070, and I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy a USB stick so I can try running this operating system on my device

3 Comments
2024/03/22
20:58 UTC

5

Cannot unlock Persistent Storage after 6.0 upgrade

I am a long time Tails user. Been through many upgrade cycles using both automatic and manual procedures. Recently, I did the manual upgrade to 6.0 and it was successful. Post-upgrade, I was able to use the system with persistent storage on two different computers without an issue. Suddenly, this morning, I tried to use Tails and the welcome screen would not unlock my persistent storage using my long-standing and unchanged passphrase. I know I didn't change the passphrase. I have started Tails without persistent storage and tried to unlock it using the Disks utility without success. Each time it claims that the passphrase is incorrect. Again, I did not change the passphrase and in the two compute sessions I had since upgrading (on two different computers), a proper shutdown procedure was followed. I am just so confused as to how the passphrase is not being accepted suddenly.

Is there any perspective or advice on how I can troubleshoot this?

I have read posts that claim a restart magically fixed this type of scenario. I have restarted multiple times and it doesn't matter. I have also read that it could be due to a file system issue and to use fsck but that hasn't yielded anything either. Any perspective would be appreciated.

1 Comment
2024/03/22
16:51 UTC

2

Question

Hi If I set up Kleopatra on Tails I am assuming I lose the config each time I boot. The only way to fix this is to install Tails on another partition on my machine correct? Thanks for your time!

5 Comments
2024/03/22
04:41 UTC

0

New computer advice

Hello I'm looking to buy a new gaming/ AI art laptop. I want one that can run high processor and Nvidia graphics card. But has standard fans so it doesn't burn up when I run tails. Cost is not really a problem.

Does any one have any ideas for a good laptop?

2 Comments
2024/03/21
22:45 UTC

5

I need to use google chrome extensions in Tails OS.

I need to use Google Chrome inside of tails OS because of google chrome’s extensions, I.e - MetaMask crypto wallet.

  1. Can chrome be used on Tails OS?

  2. What kind of security measures does this compromise even when using chrome on Tails?

  3. Does internet service providers know if you are using Tails or not? I travel light and need to use personal hotspot via my mobile data

  4. (IMPORTANT!) If I use Chrome within Tails does it in anyway possible overwrite Tails operating system and alllow the original laptop/computers operating system to track/watch/see/spy etc. some laptops/computers I may use from time to time could be compromised.

And no, this is for nothing illegal. Simply extra layers of security for my crypto stuff.

5 Comments
2024/03/21
21:19 UTC

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