Anonymizing Linux Tails 7.6 switches password manager

The developers of the anonymizing Linux distribution Tails have released version 7.6. In it, they are relying on a new password manager and providing better connection options.

The release announcement explains the changes in Tails 7.6. To go online anonymously in environments where censors block regular access to the Tor network, so-called Tor Bridges can help to circumvent censorship. The Tails developers recommend selecting the option “Connect automatically with Tor” when opening a Tor connection. If access to the network is blocked, the bridge configuration dialog now offers the new option “Ask for a Tor bridge based on your region.” The function is identical to that of the standalone Tor Browser, which has included it since July 2022. It disguises the connection using so-called Domain Fronting, which relies on redirects from domains at CDN providers and encryption using HTTPS, making it difficult for censorship measures to detect.

Tails 7.6: Different password manager

In addition, the maintainers of Tails have now made the password manager “Secrets” the default. It replaces the previously used KeePassXC. Its user interface is simpler and better integrated into the Gnome desktop, argue the programmers. This also enables the use of accessibility features such as the on-screen keyboard or adjusted cursor size. Secrets can directly use the KeePassXC database as it uses the same file format for storing passwords. If something is missing, installing KeePassXC as additional software is an option.

Further changes include the update of core components. Electrum is now at version 4.7.0, the Tor Browser at 15.0.8. Thunderbird comes in version 140.8.0. The Tails developers have also updated the firmware packages, which improves support for newer hardware. This includes graphics cards, WLAN chipsets, and so on. The release announcement also lists minor bug fixes.

Tails 7.6 is available for download as a USB image for transferring to USB sticks and as an ISO image for burning to DVD or for use in a VM. On a USB stick, Tails is used for anonymous web surfing, for example, on other people's computers, which can be easily started with it.

The version 7.5 of Tails was released at the end of February and brought changes to the Thunderbird integration. This is intended to ensure greater security, as Thunderbird is always installed as an add-on package in the latest version.

(dmk)