Tails OS: The Amnesic Incognito Live System

What is Tails OS?

Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is a security-focused Debian-based Linux distribution designed to preserve privacy and anonymity. It's a live operating system that you can start on almost any computer from a USB stick or DVD.

Key Features:

• Amnesic: Leaves no trace on the computer you're using (unless explicitly told to)
• Live System: Runs entirely from USB/DVD without touching the hard drive
• Tor Integration: Routes all internet connections through Tor network
• Cryptographic Tools: Built-in PGP, KeePassXC, and encrypted storage
• Anonymity by Default: No data stored unless you use Persistent Storage

Who Should Use Tails?

• Darknet marketplace users who want maximum security
• Journalists and activists working with sensitive information
• Anyone needing a clean, untraceable computing environment
• Users who want to isolate darknet activities from their main OS

Tails vs Regular OS + Tor Browser

Bottom line: Tails provides significantly better security and anonymity than using Tor Browser on your regular OS.

System Requirements

Minimum Hardware:

• 64-bit x86-64 compatible processor
• 2 GB RAM minimum (4 GB recommended)
• 8 GB USB stick (USB 3.0 recommended for speed)
• Ability to boot from USB (all modern computers support this)

What You'll Need:

1. Two USB sticks (8 GB or larger each) - one for installer, one for Tails
2. Computer with internet connection to download Tails
3. 30-60 minutes for installation and setup
4. Optional: Additional USB stick for encrypted Persistent Storage

Downloading and Verifying Tails

Step 1: Download Tails

Visit the official Tails website: tails.net

⚠️ Security Check:

• URL must be exactly https://tails.net
• Verify HTTPS certificate (green lock icon)
• Never download from third-party mirrors or torrent sites

Download the latest Tails USB image: tails-amd64-[version].img (usually 1.2-1.4 GB)

Step 2: Verify Your Download

This is CRITICAL to ensure your download wasn't tampered with.

Option A: Verify in Browser (Easiest)

1. Click "Verify" button on download page
2. Browser extension will verify the signature automatically
3. Wait for "Verification successful" message

Option B: Manual Verification (Most Secure)

# Download the signature file (tails-amd64-X.X.img.sig)

# Import Tails signing key
gpg --keyserver keys.openpgp.org --recv-key 0xDBB802B258ACD84F

# Verify the image
gpg --verify tails-amd64-*.img.sig tails-amd64-*.img

# Look for: "Good signature from 'Tails developers'"

⚠️ Never proceed without verification! Compromised Tails could expose all your activities.

Creating Tails USB Stick

Windows Installation

1. Download and install Etcher from etcher.balena.io
2. Insert your USB stick (all data will be erased!)
3. Launch Etcher
4. Click "Flash from file" → select downloaded tails-amd64-*.img
5. Click "Select target" → choose your USB stick
6. Click "Flash!" and wait 5-10 minutes
7. When complete, close Etcher

macOS Installation

1. Download and install Etcher from etcher.balena.io
2. Insert USB stick (will be erased!)
3. Open Etcher
4. Select Tails .img file
5. Select USB stick as target
6. Click "Flash" (may require password)
7. Wait for completion

Linux Installation

# Insert USB stick and identify it
lsblk

# Unmount if mounted (replace sdX with your device)
sudo umount /dev/sdX*

# Write Tails image (CAREFUL: double-check device name!)
sudo dd if=tails-amd64-*.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync

# Wait for completion (5-10 minutes)

⚠️ WARNING: The dd command will destroy all data on the target device. Triple-check you're using the correct device!

Booting Tails for First Time

Step 1: Access Boot Menu

1. Insert Tails USB stick
2. Restart computer
3. Press boot menu key during startup:
   • HP/Dell: F12
   • Lenovo: F12 or F11
   • Asus: Esc or F8
   • Mac: Hold Option key immediately after power on
   • Acer: F12 (may need to enable in BIOS)
4. Select your USB stick from boot menu
5. Select "Tails" from boot screen

Step 2: First Boot Configuration

Tails will take 1-2 minutes to boot the first time.

Welcome Screen:

1. Select your language and keyboard layout
2. For first boot, leave "Additional Settings" unchanged
3. Click "Start Tails"
4. Wait for desktop to load

Step 3: Connect to Tor

After desktop loads, you'll see "Tor Connection" dialog:

1. "Connect to Tor automatically" - Choose this if Tor is not blocked in your country
2. "Hide to my local network that I'm using Tor" - Use bridges (see below)
3. Click "Connect to Tor"
4. Wait for connection (usually 10-30 seconds)
5. When connected, Tor Browser will open automatically

Configuring Persistent Storage

By default, Tails forgets everything when you shut down. Persistent Storage allows you to save selected data.

Creating Persistent Storage

1. Go to Applications → Tails → Configure persistent volume
2. Create a strong passphrase (20+ characters recommended)
3. Write down passphrase in secure location (if you forget it, data is unrecoverable)
4. Click "Create Persistent Storage"
5. Wait for encryption setup (2-5 minutes)

What to Store in Persistent Storage

Recommended to enable:

• Tor Browser Bookmarks: Save your verified .onion links
• Electrum Bitcoin Wallet: If using Bitcoin for purchases
• PGP Keys: Your personal PGP keys for encryption
• Additional Software: Packages you've installed
• Dotfiles: Configuration files

⚠️ NOT recommended:

• Network Connections: Don't save WiFi passwords (can reveal identity)
• Welcome Screen: Don't save settings (keeps maximum flexibility)

Unlocking Persistent Storage on Boot

On subsequent boots:

1. Welcome screen will show "Unlock Encryption" option
2. Enter your passphrase
3. Configure any additional settings
4. Click "Start Tails"

Essential Tails Applications

Tor Browser

Pre-configured for maximum anonymity. Use for all darknet browsing.

Electrum (Bitcoin Wallet)

Go to Applications → Internet → Electrum Bitcoin Wallet
Connects through Tor automatically for anonymous transactions.

Monero (via AppImage)

Download Monero GUI from official site and run in Tails:
./monero-wallet-gui.AppImage

KeePassXC (Password Manager)

Applications → Accessories → KeePassXC
Store all marketplace passwords encrypted. Save database to Persistent Storage.

Thunderbird + Enigmail

Encrypted email client with PGP support. Useful for vendor communications.

OnionShare

Securely share files over Tor network without revealing identity.

Tails Security Best Practices

1. Always Verify You're Running Tails

Check the Tails logo in top-left corner. If not there, you're not in Tails!

2. Never Use Regular OS for Darknet

Once you start using Tails for marketplaces, never access them from your regular OS. Keep activities completely separate.

3. Use Persistent Storage Wisely

Only save what's necessary. The more data you persist, the more risk if USB is compromised.

4. Physical Security

• Never leave Tails USB stick unattended
• Hide USB stick when not in use
• Consider having a decoy USB stick
• If compromised, destroy the USB stick (physically break it)

5. Mac Address Spoofing

Tails automatically spoofs your MAC address each boot. This prevents tracking across sessions.

6. Don't Mix Identities

Never use Tails to access personal accounts or reveal identifying information.

7. Regular Updates

Tails notifies you of updates. Always update within a few days of release:
Applications → Tails → Tails Upgrader

Advanced Configuration

Using Tor Bridges

If Tor is blocked or you want to hide Tor usage from ISP:

1. On Welcome Screen, click "Additional Settings"
2. Expand "Tor Bridge" section
3. Select bridge type: obfs4 (recommended)
4. Either use built-in bridges or request custom bridges from bridges.torproject.org
5. Click "Start Tails"

Administration Password

Some tasks require admin access (installing software, etc.):

1. On Welcome Screen, click "Additional Settings"
2. Expand "Administration Password"
3. Set a temporary password (resets each boot)
4. Use sudo commands in terminal with this password

Installing Additional Software

# Open terminal
# Update package list
sudo apt update

# Install package (example: additional tools)
sudo apt install [package-name]

# Software persists if "Additional Software" is enabled in Persistent Storage

Offline Mode

For ultra-sensitive operations (checking PGP signatures, reading saved files):

1. Boot Tails normally
2. Don't connect to Tor when prompted
3. Work offline with saved files from Persistent Storage
4. Shutdown without ever connecting to network

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Computer Won't Boot from USB

Solutions:

• Check BIOS/UEFI settings - enable "Boot from USB"
• Disable "Secure Boot" in BIOS (required for Tails)
• Try different USB port (use USB 2.0 port if USB 3.0 doesn't work)
• Try creating Tails USB on different computer
• Some computers are incompatible with Tails (check tails.net/support)

Tor Connection Fails

Solutions:

• Wait longer (can take up to 2 minutes)
• Check internet connection works in general
• Try using bridges (see Advanced Configuration above)
• Check system clock is correct (within 30 minutes of actual time)
• Try different network (some networks block Tor)

Persistent Storage Won't Unlock

Solutions:

• Verify you're typing passphrase correctly (check caps lock)
• Boot from different USB port
• If passphrase is truly forgotten, data is unrecoverable (by design)
• Reformat USB and start fresh if necessary

Applications Crashing or Slow Performance

Solutions:

• Ensure computer has at least 4 GB RAM
• Close unnecessary applications
• Use USB 3.0 stick in USB 3.0 port for better performance
• Restart Tails (it's designed for short sessions)

Tails + VPN for Extra Privacy

Option 1: VPN → Tails → Tor (Recommended)

1. Connect to VPN on router level or on host OS before booting Tails
2. Boot Tails normally
3. Your connection: You → VPN → Tor → Destination
4. ISP sees VPN connection, not Tor usage

Option 2: Tails → VPN → Tor (Advanced, not recommended for most)

Requires complex configuration. Generally unnecessary and reduces anonymity set.

When to use VPN + Tails:

• Tor is blocked or illegal in your country
• You want to hide Tor usage from ISP
• Additional protection against correlation attacks

Tails for Darknet Marketplaces

Recommended Workflow

1. Boot Tails with Persistent Storage unlocked
2. Connect to Tor and wait for confirmation
3. Open Tor Browser (happens automatically)
4. Access marketplace using bookmarked .onion links
5. Check PGP signatures on marketplace communications
6. Make purchases using cryptocurrency wallets in Tails
7. Save important data to Persistent Storage
8. Shutdown Tails - all non-persistent data erased

What to Save in Persistent Storage

• Verified .onion marketplace bookmarks
• Your marketplace PGP private key
• Vendor public PGP keys
• KeePassXC database with marketplace passwords
• Cryptocurrency wallets (Electrum, Monero)
• Important marketplace communications (PGP encrypted)

What NOT to Save

• Personal photos or documents
• Anything linking your real identity to Tails usage
• Clearnet browsing data
• Personal email or social media accounts

Upgrading Tails

Tails releases updates every 4-6 weeks with security patches.

Automatic Upgrade (Easiest)

1. Boot Tails and connect to Tor
2. If update available, you'll see notification
3. Open Applications → Tails → Tails Upgrader
4. Click "Upgrade now"
5. Wait for download and installation (10-20 minutes)
6. Restart Tails when prompted

Persistent Storage and all data are preserved during upgrades.

Manual Upgrade (If Automatic Fails)

1. Download latest Tails .img file
2. Create new Tails USB using Etcher
3. Boot new Tails USB
4. Clone Persistent Storage from old USB to new USB
5. Verify everything works
6. Securely erase old USB

When to Use Tails vs Tor Browser

Conclusion

Tails OS provides the highest level of anonymity and security for darknet marketplace users. Its amnesic design ensures no traces remain after shutdown, while Persistent Storage lets you save only what you need.

Key takeaways:

• Always download from official tails.net and verify signatures
• Use Persistent Storage only for essential marketplace data
• Keep Tails updated with latest security patches
• Never mix personal and darknet activities in same session
• Consider VPN + Tails for maximum privacy
• Practice with small amounts before trusting with serious funds

Tails has a learning curve, but the security benefits are worth the effort. Start with simple tasks and gradually explore advanced features as you become comfortable.