Anonymizing Linux: Tails starts testing the 7 version

The Linux distribution Tails for anonymous surfing on the Internet is now available as a test version 7.0. The maintainers have put Tails on a new footing and include updated desktop environments and software packages.

In the release announcement, the Tails makers discuss the new features. The basis is the brand new Debian 13, codenamed “Trixie”. For the desktop, they are relying on Gnome 48, which has been available since March. Other changes mentioned by the Tails maintainers include the Gnome Terminal, which has now given way to the Gnome Console. During the change, the programmers broke the “Root Terminal”. As a temporary countermeasure, users should use the sudo -i command in the regular console to obtain root rights.

The developers have replaced the Gnome Image Viewer with Gnome Loupe. Kleopatra has been removed from the favorites folder and can now be started via “Apps” – “Accessories” – “Kleopatra”. The obsolete network connection option on the “Welcome” screen has also been removed by the Tails developers.

Updated software packages

Tails 7.0rc1 comes with updated versions of various software packages: Tor Client 0.4.8.17, Thunderbird 128.13.0esr, Linux kernel 6.1.4 (with improved support for new hardware for graphics, WLAN, and so on), Electrum 4.5.8, OnionShare 2.6.3, KeePassXC 2.7.10, Kleopatra 4:24.12, Inksacpe 1.4, Gimp 3.0.4, Audacity 3.7.3, Text Editor 48.3 and Document Scanner 46.0. The unar, aircrack-ng and sq packages are no longer part of Tails.

Tails 7.0rc1 requires 3 GByte RAM instead of the previous 2 GByte to run smoothly. According to estimates, this affects around two percent of users. In addition, the distribution now takes longer to start. However, the developers want to correct this before the final release. Tails 7.0 is scheduled for final release on October 16, 2025. The release candidates are intended to give interested parties the opportunity to test the new version and identify potential bugs. The developers then want to iron these out before the release version is published.

At the end of July, the Tails developers released version 6.18 of the distribution. In it, they essentially added support for WebTunnel-based bridges to the Tor network. Unlike “obfs4” bridges, these are designed to disguise the connection as conventional web traffic. Version 6.17 of Tails also only included minor updates to the central packages, such as Tor Browser.

(dmk)