When you’re researching sensitive topics—like reproductive health—your privacy can feel under attack. Critical information is vanishing from official websites, and censorship is making it harder than ever to find reliable resources. In some places, even typing certain terms into a search engine could flag you to your internet service provider (ISP), which might log your activity—or worse, turn it over to authorities.
This is where Tails OS comes in. Tails is a portable operating system designed to protect your privacy by routing all your traffic through the Tor network. It ensures your searches stay anonymous, prevents your ISP from tracking you, and leaves no trace on the computer you use. Whether you’re seeking medical advice or exploring stigmatized topics, Tails gives you the freedom to access vital information without fear or exposure.
Here’s how to get started, step by step.
What You’ll Need
- A USB Drive: At least 8GB of storage (a new or securely wiped one works best).
- A Computer: Any laptop or desktop you can use temporarily.
- Internet Access: To download Tails and install it on your USB.
Step 1: Download Tails
- Visit the official Tails website: https://tails.net/install/.
- Click “Get Tails” and follow the instructions to download the Tails program (called an “ISO” file).
- Follow the instructions on the site to verify the download to ensure it’s legitimate and hasn’t been tampered with.
Step 2: Install Tails on Your USB Drive
- Insert the USB Drive into your computer.
- Download Etcher, a free tool to install Tails onto your USB: https://etcher.io/.
- Open Etcher and follow these steps:
- Step 1: Select the Tails ISO file you downloaded.
- Step 2: Choose your USB drive.
- Step 3: Click “Flash” to install Tails onto the USB.
Once it’s done, your USB drive is ready to boot Tails!
Step 3: Boot into Tails
- Restart your computer with the USB drive plugged in.
- During startup, press the key for the boot menu (usually F12, F2, ESC, or DEL—it depends on your computer).
- From the boot menu, select the USB drive to start Tails.
Step 4: Set Up Tails for Privacy
- When Tails starts, you’ll see a welcome screen.
- Enable a password: This allows you to make changes during your session.
- Once Tails loads, you’ll see a simple desktop ready for use.
Step 5: Use Tor Browser to Search Anonymously
- Open the Tor Browser, preinstalled in Tails.
- Adjust the security settings:
- Click the shield icon in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Set the security level to “Safest” (this blocks JavaScript and other risky features).
- Use privacy-focused search engines for information:
- DuckDuckGo .onion: http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion
- Ahmia .onion: http://msydqstlz2kzerdg.onion
These links work only in the Tor Browser and help you access sensitive topics securely and anonymously.
Step 6: Browse Safely
- Avoid Logging In: Don’t use personal accounts like email or social media while browsing.
- Stick to Trusted Sites: Only visit reliable resources to avoid scams or misinformation.
- Be Careful with Networks: Avoid public Wi-Fi; use a secure, trusted network if possible.
Why Use Tails for Healthcare Research?
- Complete Anonymity: Tails routes all your activity through Tor, ensuring your searches can’t be traced.
- No Traces Left Behind: When you shut down Tails, it leaves no record on the computer you used.
- Bypass Censorship: Tails lets you access blocked or censored information, including hidden .onion sites.
Additional Resources
- Tails Official Website: https://tails.net/
- DuckDuckGo (.onion): http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion
- Ahmia (.onion): http://msydqstlz2kzerdg.onion
Using Tails OS and these tools, you can search for reproductive healthcare information safely and privately, without fear of surveillance or censorship. Protect your right to access vital information—it’s easier than you think!
