Tails 6.12, the new version of the privacy- and anonymity-focused Linux distribution, is now available with important security fixes and improvements to its persistent storage. Based on Debian, this portable operating system continues to guarantee defense against surveillance and censorship.
This release comes just a month after Tails 6.11 and fixes critical vulnerabilities identified by the Radically Open Security team. Among the flaws detected were gaps that allowed an attacker with elevated privileges to monitor Tor circuits or modify the system’s persistent storage settings. According to the developers, these attacks required the attacker to have already compromised an application within Tails.
Major improvements and updates in Tails 6.12
In addition to security fixes, Tails 6.12 incorporates several improvements in its operation. One of the notable new features is the addition of a button in the “About Tails” panel which allows you to easily check the availability of system updates.
The keyboard shortcut has also been added Ctrl + Alt + T, which allows you to open the terminal quickly. Added to this is the update of the Tor Browser to version 14.0.5, ensuring safer browsing, and Mozilla Thunderbird to version 128.6.0 ESR, ensuring compatibility with the latest email standards.
Bug fixes and system optimization
Multiple bugs have been addressed, including a bug that caused the splash screen will freeze when enabling persistent storage. Also, time synchronization during system restart has been improved. Tor, which optimizes connectivity with the anonymity network.
Another of the improvements implemented is the simplification of the troubleshooting instructions when an automatic upgrade fails. Also, an error message has been added when the upgrade of persistent storage encryption to LUKS2 does not complete successfully.
Download and installation
Tails 6.12 is available for download download in ISO and USB formats through official project website, allowing it to be easily run from a USB stick without the need for installation on the hard drive.
For users who already have Tails installed, the upgrade can be done by running the commands sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade from a terminal or through the system's automatic updater.
With these improvements, Tails reinforces its commitment to offering a safe and anonymous experience for those users looking to protect their privacy online. This new version demonstrates the importance of staying up to date to avoid potential vulnerabilities and ensuring a secure network environment.