Your secure computer anywhere To use Tails, shut down the computer and start on your Tails USB stick instead of starting on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
You can temporarily turn your own computer into a secure machine. You can also stay safe while using the computer of somebody else.
Tails is a 1.1 GB download and takes ½ hour to install. Tails can be installed on any USB stick of 8 GB minimum. Tails works on most computers less than 10 years old. You can start again on the other operating system after you shut down Tails.
You don't have to worry about the computer having viruses because Tails runs independently from the other operating system and never uses the hard disk.
Tails is designed to hide your identity.
But some of your activities could reveal your identity:
Sharing files with metadata, such as date, time, location, and device information.
Using Tails for more than one purpose at a time.
Tails uses the Tor network because it is the strongest and most popular network to protect from surveillance and censorship.
But Tor has limitations if you are concerned about:
Hiding that you are using Tor and Tails.
Protecting your online communications from determined, skilled attackers.
Tails can safely run on a computer that has a virus.
But Tails cannot always protect you when:
Installing from an infected computer.
Running Tails on a computer with a compromised BIOS, firmware or hardware
