Anonymizing Linux Tails 7.6.1: Emergency update patches browser vulnerabilities

The anonymizing Linux distribution Tails has been released in version 7.6.1. The maintainers describe the version as an emergency release to patch important security vulnerabilities in the Tor Browser.

The developers explain this in the Tails 7.6.1 release announcement. The Tor Browser has been updated to version 15.0.9, closing security vulnerabilities that the browser base Firefox ESR 140.9.1 addresses. The programmers note that they are not aware of any practical exploitation of the vulnerabilities yet.

The Tails maintainers have also updated other software components to newer versions in the same release. The Tor client comes with version 0.4.9.6, Thunderbird in version 140.9.0. They have also updated firmware packages, which improves support for newer hardware, such as graphics cards, WLAN dongles, and so on.

Tails: Updated Images

Updated images are available for transferring to USB sticks as well as an ISO for burning to DVDs or for use in virtual machines. Users of Tails 7.0 or newer can update to 7.6.1 via the automatic upgrade function.

Tails is designed to be burned onto bootable USB sticks. This allows any computer to be started, on which Tails forms a secure environment. This enables anonymous browsing on the internet through the use of the Tor network. For example, censorship measures or spyware installed on computers, such as keyloggers, can be bypassed.

At the end of March, the main version Tails 7.6 was released. As a major change, it introduced the switch to a simpler password manager called "Secrets", which replaces KeePassXC used until then. Additionally, the Tails developers improved connection options. Tor bridges, which are necessary in environments where censors block regular access to the Tor network, can since then be selected based on geographical region – automatically.

(dmk)