Imagine carrying an entire operating system in your pocket—one that runs directly from a USB drive and leaves no trace once unplugged. Whether you’re connecting to public Wi-Fi or handling sensitive work, Tails OS transforms any computer into a secure, private workspace in minutes.
Tails is built to safeguard your identity, shielding you from tracking, surveillance, and censorship. Even if you’re not Edward Snowden, it’s an ideal tool for anyone using shared computers at cafés, libraries, or coworking spaces. Best of all, it’s beginner-friendly and quick to set up.
What is Tails OS?
Tails—short for The Amnesic Incognito Live System—is a free, open-source operating system based on Debian Linux. It runs entirely from a USB stick, and once you power off and remove it, no digital footprint or trace of your activity is left on the computer.
The OS gained global recognition after Edward Snowden reportedly used it to securely communicate with journalists while revealing the NSA’s surveillance operations. Today, it remains a trusted choice for journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users worldwide.
Unlike traditional systems such as Windows, macOS, or lightweight Linux variants, Tails automatically routes all network traffic through the Tor network, ensuring anonymity, blocking trackers, and bypassing restrictions.
Installing Tails OS
Setting up Tails is straightforward. You’ll need a USB stick with at least 8GB capacity. Visit the official Tails website to download the OS image, then follow platform-specific guides for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Use Rufus (available from its official site) to create a bootable USB—simply select the Tails image, choose your drive, and hit Start. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Avoid using multi-boot tools like Ventoy for security reasons. Tails developers recommend dedicating a single USB exclusively to Tails for maximum protection.
Using Tails OS
To launch Tails, insert the USB and boot your computer from it—press Esc on Windows or hold Option on macOS during startup to select your USB drive.
Once connected to Wi-Fi, all online activity automatically goes through Tor, concealing your location and IP address. While the system can feel slower than typical OSs (since everything runs in RAM), it ensures total privacy.
By default, Tails doesn’t save any files or settings after shutdown. However, you can enable persistent storage, which creates an encrypted space on your USB for safely saving documents, bookmarks, or custom configurations between sessions.
The Limitations of Tails
Tails isn’t built for everyday computing. It sacrifices convenience for safety—so you can’t install common Windows apps or games, and its app library is limited by design.
Moreover, while all internet traffic is anonymized through Tor, observers can still detect that you’re using Tor itself, which might raise suspicion in restrictive regions. Users must also take care when sharing files, as embedded metadata in documents or photos can inadvertently reveal personal details.
Although Tails includes uBlock Origin in its Tor Browser for ad blocking, this feature slightly differentiates Tails users from standard Tor Browser traffic—a minor but noteworthy privacy trade-off.
Tails OS stands out as one of the most effective tools for staying private online. It’s lightweight, secure, and simple enough for beginners to use without technical expertise. The system is best suited for moments when privacy truly matters—like conducting sensitive research or protecting sources.
While it won’t replace your everyday operating system, Tails gives you the freedom to go off-grid whenever you need, keeping your digital identity safe from prying eyes.