Anonymizing Linux: Tails 6.8.1 closes critical security vulnerability
Version 6.8.1 of Tails Linux, which is designed for anonymous surfing, closes a security vulnerability. It also improves the handling of persistent memory.
(Image: heise online / dmk)
The Tails project has released version 6.8.1 of the anonymizing Linux distribution for USB sticks. It corrects a critical security vulnerability in the Firefox browser, which is used as the basis for Tor.
This critical vulnerability in the web browser (and Thunderbird) is already under attack in the wild. Tails users should therefore download the updated version immediately and update their USB sticks.
Changes in Tails 6.8
The security update is the only change in Tails 6.8.1, which uses the bug-fixed version 13.5.7 of the Tor Browser. Tails 6.8, which was released on Wednesday night, has a few more changes to offer. The developers write that file system errors detected when unlocking the persistent storage can now be repaired. However, not all file system errors can be safely repaired, which is why they have also created more detailed documentation with further possible solutions.
If a network interface is deactivated because the MAC address cannot be anonymized, an improved notification now appears. The developers have increased the maximum waiting time for unlocking the persistent storage to eight minutes before Tails spits out an error message. If you have chosen to show the password when entering it, Tails will now hide it during the unlocking process. If this takes longer, unauthorized persons will not be able to see it.
The updated Tails versions can be downloaded as usual to create USB sticks. ISO images are also available for burning to DVD or for use in a VM.
The Tails project released version 6.7 in mid-September. The version included an anonymous chat and can provide instructions on how to start the computer if there are problems with Secure Boot. At the end of September, the Tails and Tor projects announced that they would be joining forces in future. They want to join forces to protect users worldwide from surveillance and censorship.
(dmk)