Tails

Tails is a free, portable operating system designed to protect users from surveillance and censorship. Made by the Tor Project and based on Debian GNU/Linux, it runs from a USB stick, allowing users to start a secure environment instead of their usual Windows, macOS, or Linux system. When Tails is shut down, it leaves no trace on the computer, helping people use shared or potentially unsafe devices with greater privacy.

Tails uses the Tor network to help protect online activity and reduce exposure to tracking, censorship, advertising, and viruses. It also includes ready-to-use applications for working with sensitive documents and communicating securely, configured with protective defaults. The system is intended for a broad range of people, including activists, journalists and their sources, domestic violence survivors, and anyone who needs extra privacy. Users can download Tails at no cost, and independent security researchers can inspect its work. The project provides installation guidance, documentation, support, security advisories, and ways to contribute, translate, or report issues.