Or “tails” if you prefer, is a live CD/USB distribution based on debian which aims to help you preserve your privacy and anonymity when out and about. As the home website says, tails helps you to:
- use the Internet anonymously almost anywhere you go and on any computer:
all connections to the Internet are forced to go through the Tor network; - leave no trace on the computer you’re using unless you ask it explicitly;
- use state-of-the-art cryptographic tools to encrypt your files, email and instant messaging.
This is a good thing (TM).
I already have a system at home which allows me to use the tor network whenever I want to be anonymous, but tails allows me to do the same thing when I’m away from that setup. I like the idea so much that I now provide a mirror for the tails distribution to complement my tor exit node. Every little helps.