Tails Release Announcements

Discussion in 'all things UNIX' started by TheKid7, Apr 10, 2013.

  1. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Tails 0.17.2 was released:
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=07798
     
  2. ronjor

    ronjor Global Moderator

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Tails-0-18-can-install-packages-on-the-fly-1866479.html
     
  3. pajenn

    pajenn Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    Tails 0.19 is out - I'm posting this message from it.

    This is my first time running it. I happened upon it by chance while looking through YUMI's menu at extras to add to a bootable flash drive.

    Any opinions?
     
  4. pajenn

    pajenn Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    My initial impressions are that Tails (Anonymous Browsing) works pretty well but needs more privacy, security and other programs. As far as I can tell, Tails is a basic Debian 6 based OS that can camouflage itself as Windows XP, runs Tor automatically, includes a Firefox based browser (Iceweasel) with extra privacy and security add-ons, and wipes any traces of usage between reboots. In addition to OpenOffice and basic media apps, it also comes with programs for encrypted communication. A mini review below.

    disclaimer: I'm crap with linux so I may have just missed somethings.


    Overall I love the idea behind Tails; a ready to run OS that gives anyone instant access to anonymous browsing, easy access to encrypted communication, and leaves no trace of usage. It already works quite well, at least on my laptop, in that it boots fast, runs smoothly, looks fine (nothing fancy, but clean and straightforward in non-Windows mode), and I had no issue with wireless connection. The Windows camouflage mode is kind of cool, although I did find it a bit clumsy and I'm wondering about copyright issues involved with using Microsoft icons and graphics. I prefer Tails' basic, clean native look.

    As for security and anonymity, all I can say is that it runs Tor automatically and comes with a firefox based browser that uses Startpage for searches and includes Torbutton, HTTPS-Everywhere, NoScript, Adblock Plus, Cookie Monster, FoxyProxy Standard, and something called amnesia branding, which I think is specific to Tails; it "sets some settings (e.g. homepage)". And as far as I could tell, all traces of my previous activity were erased between reboots (even keyboard layout setting, wireless password, etc).

    However, I’m not sure if Tails includes DNS encryption (e.g. DNScrypt-proxy) or MAC spoofing and computer name randomization? Firewall? If not, it should imo since it's main mission is anonymous, secure browsing. Also, the documentation talks about Truecrypt and LUKS, but I did not see those available in the application menus, nor did Tails offer to encrypt the system when I installed it from ISO to USB.

    Tails 0.19 install ISO is 864 MB, which is comparable to Linux Mint type distros, and for that size I would have expected some more security/communication/browsing apps to come with it. imo, it should include Truecrypt, Keepass2 (already includes KeePassX), CryptoCat plugin for their Iceweasel browser, Jitsi and/or other apps that you can use for encrypted VoIP, and maybe even Skype because even though Skype is not secure you can still encrypt messages and files before you send them.

    Now you might say, 'hey, why don’t you just install whatever programs you like and run Tails with them?' Well, the problem is that Tails wipes any traces of usage between reboots, including any programs, plugins, data, etc. that you’ve installed or downloaded. Therefore it would be nice to have a robust set of secure browsing, communication, and encryptions apps out-of-the-box. Furthermore, if this is to be accessible and convenient for non-techy people and linux newbies, then it should come pre-configured with more programs people need for security and anonymity.

    Now if you run Tails from USB, then in theory you can configure it to keep some programs/files/settings(?) persistent, but the default options of what to keep are very limited (e.g. bookmarks), and with my limited knowledge of linux I wasn’t able to feed it the correct paths manually for folders to keep, nor would I know what files I’d have to specify to retain new browser plugins (e.g. Cryptocat), keyboard layout choice, or wireless network password. This area of Tails needs a lot of work imo.

    To sum up, I think Tails is a promising and important project, that works well for basic, out-of-the-box anonymous browsing with Tor and incorporates many privacy and security plugins. However, it needs more programs, easier system encryption, and work on the persistence or initial configuration, options for some settings and data. Ideally you could toggle whether it wipes usage traces between reboots, so that you could set it up as you like, before instituting the wiping policy. I hope they keep developing this distro.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2013
  5. lotuseclat79

    lotuseclat79 Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    Tails does have a macchanger command, but it is not run on boot, which is why one should disable their network, boot, run the command macchanger -a, and then re-enable their network after bootup so that the network can pickup the new mac address for your computer. Note: this does not change the mac address for one's network router which would require both network and computer be fully booted and a connection established.

    Update: Yes, Tails does have a firewall. Amnesia branding is the Tails (modified) version of Firefox branding (package), i.e. because Iceweasel is a Firefox derivative browser.

    In the mix of retaining anonymity, it is better to look like everyone else by not having different plugins that would be markers that would make you more unique.

    It would be a good idea to send the Tails developers an encrypted email of your review so you can get feedback in that way from them.

    -- Tom
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2013
  6. hogndog

    hogndog Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    Hi pajenn, I've installed Tails 0.19 on a Dane-Elec thumb drive using the Universal USB Installer, i verified the download its clean, when i boot up it gives me a screen that says push enter to boot, two choices "live" below that "live (fail safe)" a countdown keeps scrolling down 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1 over and over. I used that same installer when i installed Mint 14 and it booted fine. Would you or anyone else have an idea about what I'm doing wrong? Maybe try the Yumi installer.. o_O

    Tia..
    Hogndog

    *edit: Uh Oh! i just read Toms statement maybe that's why, they didn't say anything about that in the Tails tutorial i read..:argh:
     
  7. hogndog

    hogndog Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    [Problem solved]

    Turns out that USB Drive was bad from the factory..

    Thanks guys we can call off the hounds..*puppy*

    Hogndog
     
  8. pajenn

    pajenn Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    fwiw, my tests were done with "Live" boot option (haven't tried the 'fail safe' one), and I chose extra options at login to get the XP Camouflage mode and ability to specify password for root access.

    I initially installed Tails ISO on a USB stick using YUMI, but later booted the ISO in VMware and installed Tails to a USB flash drive properly from there.
     
  9. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    Tails 0.20 is out.
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=07993
     
  10. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    Tails 0.20.1 is out.
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=08063
     
  11. TheCatMan

    TheCatMan Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    thanks gonna grab the latest version :)
     
  12. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    Tails 0.21 was released:
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=08133
     
  13. TheCatMan

    TheCatMan Registered Member

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    Re: Tails 0.17.2 Released

    thx for updated link
     
  14. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Tails 0.22 was released:
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=08204
     
  15. 1PW

    1PW Registered Member

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    Last edited: Mar 20, 2014
  16. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Tails 0.23 was released:
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=08350
     
  17. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Distribution Release: Tails 1.0:
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=08413
     
  18. korben

    korben Registered Member

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    Can't help but wonder - does it work like it's supposed to? Still in doubt.
     
  19. Snoop3

    Snoop3 Registered Member

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    eh, the developers are pretty serious about finding stuff that would contribute to giving away your identity so i think its currently as good or better than any alternative.

    Also, supposedly there were documents by Snowden that claimed NSA agents were not happy when they found some suspects were using TAILS. could be baloney though, never know.


    i wish they would add some optional radio app though, and just run the browser thru TOR if possible, for some of us that don't need total anonymity.
     
  20. inka

    inka Registered Member

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    The tails distro "works" without buginess... but, I believe they (Tails devs and users) are overoptimistic in regarding Tor as a "solution".

    Increasingly, site operators are subscribing to "blacklists" which track Tor exit nodes (e.g. http://www.blocked.com ) and are configuring their webservers to refuse requests arriving from identified Tor (and/or anonymous proxy) IPs.
     
  21. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Distribution Release: Tails 1.1:
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=08539
     
  22. _Sim_

    _Sim_ Registered Member

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  23. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Distribution Release: Tails 1.1.1:
    http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=08585
     
  24. Veeshush

    Veeshush Registered Member

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    Tails 1.1.2 is out
    Changelog: https://git-tails.immerda.ch/tails/plain/debian/changelog

    Download: https://tails.boum.org/news/version_1.1.2/index.en.html


    So I take it that bash update helps protect against https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/major-bash-vulnerability-affects-linux-unix-mac-os-x.368559/ ?
     
  25. Veeshush

    Veeshush Registered Member

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