Tails 7.16 went live on today as a maintenance release that pulls in Tor Browser 16.0, the first stable Tor Browser built on Firefox ESR 153. The update also brings the Tor client to 0.4.9.15 while restoring OpenPGP support in Thunderbird, which had broken in an earlier build. The brisk five-release pace of 2026 reflects the 2024 merger into the Tor Project, which gives Tails faster updates and tighter integration with Tor Browser itself.
Tails 7.15.1 is a security emergency from the Tor Project that updates Tor Browser to 15.0.26 and blocks the compromised certificates of Indian CA eMudhra. The incident stems from eight eMudhra intermediate keys that had only three to eight bits of entropy, letting researcher Scott Helme crack them in under a second. Mozilla, Apple, and Microsoft raced to revoke the affected certs, and Google confirmed Certificate Transparency limited real-world exploitation. If you're running Tails 7.0 or newer, upgrade now to protect against forged clearnet sites over Tor.
Tails 7.15 shipped today, with the Tor Project tagging it as a routine "announce" maintenance release rather than a feature-packed update. The three headline changes are Tor Browser 15.0.25, Tor client 0.4.9.14, and refreshed firmware packages that improve support for newer Wi-Fi and graphics hardware. Because browsers are the most-attacked attack surface, the backported Firefox security fixes make this a worthwhile upgrade for privacy-focused users. Those on Tails 7.0 or later can upgrade automatically while keeping Persistent Storage, while fresh installs over it and wipe that data.
The Tor Project has shipped Tails 7.14, a security-focused update today, that adds no new features. The main changes raise Tor Browser to 15.0.24, the standalone Tor client to 0.4.9.13, and the Linux kernel to 6.12.111, and it also corrects a Korean keyboard input problem. Existing users on 7.0 or newer can upgrade automatically while keeping their Persistent Storage, while fresh installs erase it entirely.
Tails 7.12 has dropped, officially kicking off its new two-week release schedule aligned with Firefox's accelerated cadence. This cycle brings Tor Browser to version 15.0.21, Electrum to 4.8.1, and fresh firmware packages to keep newer hardware playing nice with the live USB. The compressed timeline replaces a frantic spring of emergency kernel patches, giving the small team a more predictable workflow for shipping critical security fixes. Users can grab the roughly 1.8 GB image now, though you'll still need at least 3 GB of RAM and an 8 GB USB stick to run the amnesic, Tor-routed system.
Tails 7.11, released on August 19, 2026, updates the privacy operating system with Tor Browser 15.0.20 based on Firefox ESR 140.14. The release resolves issue #19913, fixing a bug that blocked Persistent Storage activation on specific hardware and restoring the ability to save encrypted data across reboots. Users running Tails 7.0 or later can upgrade via the automatic built-in updater, while manual ISO images are available for fresh installs. This patch follows the Tor Project's monthly release cadence and builds on recent security efforts addressing kernel vulnerabilities within the integrated Tor ecosystem.
Tails has dropped version 7.10.1 as an emergency security patch just two weeks after 7.10 launched. The update locks down CVE-2026-64560 in the Linux kernel, preventing a malicious website from hijacking your Tor Browser session with root privileges. It also upgrades the expat XML parser to 2.8.2 to neutralize 20 distinct CVEs across LibreOffice, Audacity, and Git, while switching automatic upgrade payloads to zstd compression for faster downloads. Anyone on Tails 7.0 or later will get the patch automatically, though a manual USB reinstall remains a fully viable option that keeps Persistent Storage intact.
Tails 7.10 shipped today, introducing a new shutdown procedure that trades speed for safety by adding a 60-second confirmation window to prevent accidental data loss. The default video player has switched from GNOME Videos to Celluloid, which cannot access the network to align with Tails' security model, while Tor Browser updated to version 15.0.19 with fixes from Firefox 153. The release continues a rapid cadence of eleven versions in half a year, driven by emergency patches for critical kernel vulnerabilities like Copy Fail and Dirty Frag.
Tails 7.9.1 has officially launched, updating the Tor client to 0.4.9.11 and the Tor Browser to 15.0.17 for improved privacy and stability. The most critical change is the new Linux kernel 6.12.94, which patches two severe privilege escalation flaws known as DirtyClone and PACKET_EDIT_MEME. Tails warns that while exploitation is difficult, a targeted government or well-funded hacking group could theoretically chain these vulnerabilities to deanonymize users.
Tails 7.9 pushes Tor Browser up to version 15.0.16 and refreshes firmware packages so newer Wi-Fi and graphics adapters actually stop dropping connections mid-session. Flatpak app installation finally arrives but stays locked behind a feature flag until operators explicitly enable it, keeping stream isolation tight and preventing accidental DNS leaks. The release also silences those persistent Secure Boot certificate warnings that used to clutter the boot screen and hardens the automated test suite with proper loading delays. It is a straightforward stability update that keeps the system lean while quietly fixing the hardware quirks that usually trip up field operators.
Tails 7.8.1 drops as an emergency patch to close a dangerous Linux kernel flaw that could let compromised apps steal root access and deanonymize users. The release also upgrades the Tor client to version 0.4.9.9, shutting down several network vulnerabilities that might leak traffic metadata or crash anonymity circuits. Operators should run the built-in updater or terminal sync command immediately before attackers start chaining exploits against isolated privacy setups. Temporary slowdowns during circuit rebuilds and routine Wi-Fi reconnections are normal after installation, but skipping this update leaves systems dangerously exposed to privilege escalation attacks.
Tails 7.8 pushes Tor Browser to fifteen point zero fourteen and patches critical kernel flaws that could let local apps steal admin rights and break your anonymity. The developers quietly removed Thunderbird from the base install, but routing it through persistent storage actually keeps your email client updated without chasing outdated Debian packages. Upgrading from version seven point zero or newer runs smoothly through the built in updater, though backing up encrypted volumes before flashing remains a strict requirement. Staying current matters more than clinging to familiar defaults when privacy tools rely on tight security boundaries.
Tails just pushed version 7.7.3 as an emergency patch because Dirty Frag lets local apps slip past sandbox limits and grab root access. The release also bundles newer Tor Browser, Tor client, Thunderbird, and firmware updates to close other holes that could quietly leak identity data. Since this live system wipes its own partitions on reboot, you will need to flash a fresh USB drive or swap the virtual disk image to actually get the fix in place. Skipping this update leaves your anonymity setup wide open to exploit chains, so grab the new ISO and keep those circuits clean.
Tails 7.7.2 drops as an emergency patch that slams shut a critical Linux kernel flaw known as Copy Fail. The vulnerability lets attackers chain exploits to grab administrator rights, which could easily break system anonymity if left unpatched. Users must download the fresh ISO, verify its signature against official records, and flash it to a clean USB drive before booting. Alongside that kernel bump to 6.12.85, the release quietly fixes several stability hiccups that tend to derail long anonymous sessions anyway.
Tails 7.7.1 drops as an emergency update to patch critical security flaws in Tor Browser and Thunderbird before attackers can exploit them. Existing installations running version 7.0 or newer can upgrade automatically while preserving Persistent Storage, though manual flashing remains a reliable fallback if the process stalls. This release also permanently disables booting older ISO images directly from USB drives to eliminate confusion and ensure users get full feature support like automatic updates. Grabbing the correct image file for your hardware setup will keep your privacy workflow running smoothly without unnecessary installation headaches.
Tails 7.7 drops with routine upgrades to Tor Browser and Thunderbird while finally patching a permissions glitch that left the root directory wide open. The release adds a practical warning about expiring Secure Boot certificates, giving operators time to update firmware before legacy machines refuse to boot next year. Background tweaks tighten package pinning to block unpatched Debian updates and add exFAT support so kexec bootloaders can actually find the ISO on modern flash drives. Verify those checksums before flashing your drive and let the new certificate alerts guide any necessary motherboard updates.
Tails just pushed out an emergency update to plug a hole that lets attackers escape the Tor Browser sandbox and read sensitive files from user sticks. Automatic upgrades preserve existing data for anyone running version 7.0 or newer but fresh installs wipe the persistent storage entirely. The developers also fixed some annoying test suite issues and added exFAT support so bootloaders can actually find the ISO image on certain partitions. Skipping this update leaves anonymity tools exposed to targeted exploitation attempts that bypass standard security confinement measures.
The Tails team just pushed out version 7.6.1 as an emergency update to patch critical security vulnerabilities found in Tor Browser. Even though developers say they have not seen these flaws actively exploited yet, ignoring them leaves anonymity tools open to potential traffic analysis attacks. This release brings the Tor Client and Thunderbird up to date while also fixing firmware packages that struggle with newer Wi-Fi cards on laptops. Users should treat this as a mandatory fix rather than an optional upgrade since the underlying browser engine received significant security hardening.
Tails 7.6 introduces automatic Tor bridge detection that pulls region-specific relays to bypass internet censorship without manual setup. The password manager switches from KeePassXC to a new tool called Secrets, which restores screen reader support while keeping your old database files working perfectly. Under the hood you get fresh versions of Tor Browser and Thunderbird paired with firmware updates that fix compatibility for newer graphics cards and Wi-Fi adapters. Existing installations on version 7.0 or higher can upgrade automatically, but there is a manual fallback option if the system refuses to start after the update.
Tails 7.5 is now available, featuring a cleaner Tor Browser home page, an updated Tor client, and improved email security thanks to the newest Thunderbird version. The release also includes the addition of a Mexican Spanish language pack for bilingual users who want to maintain their privacy without switching keyboards. Tails 7.5 fixes several long-standing issues, including a known vulnerability in older Thunderbird builds that allowed malicious sites to trick users into installing malware. Users can upgrade automatically from version 7.0 onwards or perform a manual install by downloading the fresh ISO and restoring Persistent Storage from backup.
