Tails 1.4 Linux Distro Fixes Security Flaws, Focuses on Privacy

Tails 1.4 Linux Distro Fixes Security Flaws, Focuses on Privacy

by Sean Michael Kerner

Tails Provides Windows 8 Camouflage

In Tails 1.0, users had the option of masking their desktop with a Windows XP look. Now, in Tails 1.4, the camouflage option has been updated giving users the ability to make the desktop look like Windows 8.

Upgrading Tails Is Easier

An important change to Tails in the last year is the ability to upgrade from one version to the next. Tails has maintained a steady cadence of updates, patching the distribution as new security vulnerabilities emerge.

Backup Secret Keys to Paper

Typically, secret cryptographic keys are stored digitally, but with Tails 1.4, users have the option to also print out keys, using the Paperkey tool as a backup option.

Disconnect Provides Privacy-Enabled Search

With Tails 1.4, the default search tool is now Disconnect, which aims to provide users with a privacy-enabled way to perform Google searches.

Tor Browser Gets an Update

The privacy-enabled Tor browser is updated to version 4.5.1 in Tails 1.4, providing the latest security patches to users. The Tor browser is based on the open-source Mozilla Firefox Web browser.

Unsafe Browser Gives Tails Users a Choice

There are times when the Tor Browser won’t work for a user to get access to a site or service. For those times, Tails provides an Unsafe Browser, complete with plenty of warnings about its use.

Bitcoin Management Comes to Tails

Another addition since the Tails 1.0 release in 2014 is the inclusion of the Electrum bitcoin cryptocoin wallet.

Tails 1.4 Powered by a Linux 3.16 Kernel

The Linux 3.16 kernel powers Tails 1.4; in contrast, the Linux 3.12 kernel powered the Tails 1.0 release in 2014.