Unmasking the Tails Linux Distro

by Sean Michael Kerner

The first choice that a Tails user gets to make is whether or not they want to make configuration choices or just run with the default setting.

Among the options that users can choose is whether or not they want to have an administrator password. Without a password, a Tails system is locked down and is actually more secure. Users can also choose whether they want to spoof a computer’s MAC hardware address on the network.

As one of its user options, Tails can be configured to look like a Windows XP desktop. According to Tails, “This may be useful in public places to avoid attracting suspicion.”

The Tor anonymous network system is directly integrated into Tails and made easily usable with the Vidalia control panel and user interface.

Tails includes the Tor Browser, powered by the Iceweasel Web browser, which is a rebranded version of Firefox.

One of the key additions in the Tor Browser on top of Iceweasel is the Torbutton add-on, which enables Web browsing over the Tor network.

The Tor browser is also configured with the HTTPS Everywhere add-on that automatically helps users log on to the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) versions of Websites.

The NoScript add-on in Tails’ Tor browser provides an additional layer of protection, enabling users to allow or block the JavaScript that is running on a given Website.

Going a step further, the included Adblock Plus browser add-on can block Website ads, which can also potentially track users.

Sending encrypted email is important for privacy, which is why Tails includes the Claws Mail application, including PGP encryption plug-ins.

For password management, the KeePassX application is included in Tails.

For Instant Messaging, Tails includes Pidgin, which has been configured with the Off-The Record (OTR) Messaging plug-in to enable private and secure conversations.

Hardware keyloggers can potentially log all keystrokes from a keyboard, which is why Tails includes a virtual keyboard.

Metadata that can be embedded in files also represents a potential risk to privacy. The Metadata Anonymisation Toolkit (MAT) in Tails aims to reduce that risk.

Tails includes that Apache OpenOffice.org 3 office suite for word processing, spreadsheet and presentation-building functionality.

Tails leverages the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and is powered by a Linux 3.12 kernel.

No trace of what a user has down is left on the host system when Tails is shut down as system memory is wiped clean.