Another Word For It Patrick Durusau on Topic Maps and Semantic Diversity

January 23, 2019

[Tails] USB images instead of ISO images – Testing Needed – Release January 29th

Filed under: Privacy,Tails — Patrick Durusau @ 3:20 pm

[Tails] USB images instead of ISO images – Testing Needed

From the webpage:

We need your help to test the simplified installation methods of Tails that we will release with 3.12 on January 29.

The method will be much simpler and faster, especially for macOS users, but for Windows users as well. Debian and Ubuntu users won’t have to install a specific program anymore and the process will also be faster for other Linux users.

In short, instead of downloading an ISO image (a format originally designed for CDs) you will download a USB image that is already an image of the data as written to your USB stick by Tails Installer. So no need for Tails Installer anymore and no need for an intermediary Tails nor a second USB stick when installing from Windows or macOS.

You should be able to create a persistent volume right away.

The methods for upgrading Tails will remain the same.
… (emphasis in original)

Got a few minutes?

The privacy you protect maybe your own!

May 9, 2018

Increasing Your Security (As Opposed to Thinking You Are Secure)

Filed under: Cybersecurity,Security,Tails,Tor — Patrick Durusau @ 8:36 pm

You can increase your security, against known hazards/bugs, by installing and using:

along with other appropriate practices and cautions.

Bear in mind that no software or encryption scheme is a defense against a $5 wrench.

January 10, 2018

Tails With Meltdown and Spectre Fixes w/ Caveats

Filed under: Cybersecurity,Security,Tails — Patrick Durusau @ 4:59 pm

Tails 3.4 is out

From the post:

…
In particular, Tails 3.4 fixes the widely reported Meltdown attack, and includes the partial mitigation for Spectre.
…

Timely security patches are always good news.

Three caveats:

1. Meltdown and Spectre patches originate in the same community that missed these vulnerabilities for twenty-odd years. How confident are you in these patches?

2. Meltdown and Spectre are more evidence for the existence of other fundamental design flaws than we have for life on other planets.

3. When did the NSA become aware of Meltdown and Spectre?

September 28, 2017

Tails 3.2 Out! [Questions for Journalists]

Filed under: Cybersecurity,Journalism,Security,Tails,Tor — Patrick Durusau @ 8:48 pm

Tails 3.2 is out

From the about page:

Tails is a live system that aims to preserve your privacy and anonymity. It helps you to use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship almost anywhere you go and on any computer but leaving no trace unless you ask it to explicitly.

It is a complete operating system designed to be used from a USB stick or a DVD independently of the computer’s original operating system. It is Free Software and based on Debian GNU/Linux.

Tails comes with several built-in applications pre-configured with security in mind: web browser, instant messaging client, email client, office suite, image and sound editor, etc.

Does your editor keep all reporters supplied with a current version of Tails?

Are reporters trained on a regular basis in the use of Tails?

If your answer to either question is no, you should be looking for another employer.

June 13, 2017

Tails 3.0 is out (Don’t be a Bank or the NHS, Upgrade Today)

Filed under: Cybersecurity,Security,Tails — Patrick Durusau @ 4:46 pm

Tails 3.0 is out

From the webpage:

We are especially proud to present you Tails 3.0, the first version of Tails based on Debian 9 (Stretch). It brings a completely new startup and shutdown experience, a lot of polishing to the desktop, security improvements in depth, and major upgrades to a lot of the included software.

Debian 9 (Stretch) will be released on June 17. It is the first time that we are releasing a new version of Tails almost at the same time as the version of Debian it is based upon. This was an important objective for us as it is beneficial to both our users and users of Debian in general and strengthens our relationship with upstream:

  • Our users can benefit from the cool changes in Debian earlier.
  • We can detect and fix issues in the new version of Debian while it is still in development so that our work also benefits Debian earlier.

This release also fixes many security issues and users should upgrade as soon as possible.
…

Upgrade today, not tomorrow, not next week. Today!

Don’t be like banks and NHS and run out-dated software.

Promote software upgrades by

  • barring civil liability for
  • decriminalizing
  • prohibiting insurance coverage for damages due to

hacking of out-dated software.

Management will develop an interest in software upgrade policies.

May 21, 2017

More Dicking With The NSA

Filed under: Cybersecurity,NSA,Privacy,Tails — Patrick Durusau @ 9:01 pm

Privacy-focused Debian 9 ‘Stretch’ Linux-based operating system Tails 3.0 reaches RC status by Brian Fagioli.

From the post:

If you want to keep the government and other people out of your business when surfing the web, Tails is an excellent choice. The Linux-based operating system exists solely for privacy purposes. It is designed to run from read-only media such as a DVD, so that there are limited possibilities of leaving a trail. Of course, even though it isn’t ideal, you can run it from a USB flash drive too, as optical drives have largely fallen out of favor with consumers.

Today, Tails achieves an important milestone. Version 3.0 reaches RC status — meaning the first release candidate (RC1). In other words, it may soon be ready for a stable release — if testing confirms as much. If you want to test it and provide feedback, you can download the ISO now.
…

Fagioli covers some of the details but the real story is this:

The sooner testers (that can include you) confirm the stability, etc., of Tails Version 3.0 (RC1), the sooner it can be released for general use.

In part, the release schedule for Tails Version 3.0 (RC1) depends on you.

Your response?

Check Fagoli’s post for links to the release and docs.

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