[ZATAZ News English version] – Tails releases version 7 of its live system focused on anonymity and data protection. What’s new for this flagship privacy-oriented Linux?
CONTEXT
Incognito Project: 2008
Tails: development since 2009, based on Debian
Popularized by Edward Snowden
Primarily runs as live USB
Version 7: Debian 13 Trixie, GNOME 48, 3 GB RAM required
The release of Tails 7 marks a new milestone for the well-known privacy-focused operating system. A successor to the Incognito project from 2008, Tails built its reputation by minimizing users’ digital footprints. Running in live mode, it encrypts traffic and provides a suite of secure tools. The new version, now based on Debian 13 Trixie and GNOME 48, improves hardware compatibility and speeds up boot times thanks to new compression technologies. But it also requires more resources: at least 3 GB of RAM. Beyond its reputation tied to Edward Snowden, Tails remains an ally for journalists, activists, and victims seeking to protect their identity.
Origins and philosophy
Tails officially launched in 2009 as a continuation of Incognito, a project started the year before. Its central principle has not changed: deliver a temporary, portable, and secure environment. Installed on a USB stick or run live, it lets users work without leaving local traces, unless they enable encrypted persistence. Each session starts fresh, greatly reducing the risk of compromise. The system includes encrypted communications and routes traffic through Tor, now inseparable from Tails.
Ti Tuto Zataz
Download the official image
Go to tails.net and get the latest Tails ISO. Verify its integrity (PGP signature or checksum).
Prepare a USB stick
Use balenaEtcher or Rufus (Windows) / dd (Linux, macOS) to write the ISO to a USB stick. At least 8 GB is recommended. Warning: the USB contents will be erased.
Boot from the stick
Restart the PC, open the boot menu (often F12, F9, Esc, or Del depending on the machine), and select the USB drive.
First launch
Choose Tails (live). The system runs entirely in RAM without writing to disk.
Set up persistence (optional)
From the Tails menu, create an encrypted persistent volume to save certain files and settings. Without this, everything disappears at each reboot.
Usage
Browse with Tor Browser, use the built-in tools (messaging, office suite, multimedia editors).
Technical changes in version 7
The new Debian 13 base brings updated packages and broader support for modern hardware. GNOME 48, the chosen desktop environment, provides a smoother experience. Developers highlight improvements to the Linux kernel and drivers, expanding compatibility with newer laptops and peripherals. Integrated compression methods accelerate booting, a critical feature for a live system. The tradeoff is clear: at least 3 GB of RAM is now required, and the disk image is larger than before.
Target audience and cyber context
Although often linked to the Snowden case, Tails was never designed solely for security professionals. It addresses the needs of at-risk groups: investigative journalists, whistleblowers, political or social activists, survivors of domestic abuse, or victims of digital stalking. All need a ready-to-use tool that ensures privacy and resilience. The distribution provides a browser, email client, office suite, graphic and audio editors, all configured to minimize data leaks. This makes Tails a unique tool in the Linux ecosystem: it does not aim for versatility but for maximum risk reduction.
With Tails 7, developers strengthen an already central tool for digital anonymity. The increased hardware requirements mark a turning point: the race between technical accessibility and security demands is accelerating. The question remains: how far could these hardware constraints limit access to a tool designed for the most vulnerable?
