Tails 2.0 Linux Distro Improves Installation, Gets New Look

The first major milestone release for the privacy-focused Linux distribution in 2016 makes it easy for new users to install and provides a new interface.

As part of the new release, Tails now has an Installation Assistant, documentation that details how to get and run Tails on Windows, Mac and Linux.

With the 2.0 release, Tails is now embracing the GNOME Shell Linux desktop user interface as the default. The Tails implementation of GNOME Shell is what is known as “classic mode” and integrates both a top bar menu system and an activities-based window system.

The Debian 8 (Jessie) Linux distribution serves as the base on which Tails 2.0 is built.

Tails 2.0 uses Tor Browser 5.5 as the default secure Web browser. Tor Browser 5.5 is built on top of the Firefox 38.6.0 Extended Support Release (ESR). Among the difference between the Tor Browser and Firefox is that Tor Browser routes traffic over Tor, rather than taking a direct path over the Internet.

A key feature in previous versions of Tails was the ability for users to engage a “Windows Camouflage” mode. With Windows Camouflage, the Tails desktop can mimic the look of a Microsoft Windows desktop. Due to some incompatibilities with GNOME Shell, the Windows Camouflage mode has been removed in Tails 2.0.

Another change in Tails is the removal of Claws Mail in favor of Icedove as the default email client. Icedove is based on the Mozilla Thunderbird email project.

A core element of Tails is the Linux distribution’s use of the Tor onion router network which helps to enable a degree of user privacy. With Tails 2.0, the Vidalia control panel for Tor is updated to version 0.2.21.