I find the Tails website a little confusing, so I made this simple guide:
Get Tails:
1) check if you have a problematic device: https://tails.boum.org/support/known_issues/index.en.html
2) go to https://tails.boum.org/download/index.en.html
3) download latest Tails version (ISO image file)
4) verify:
a) install HashTab (http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/hashtab,1.html)
b) right click on .iso file, Properties
c) choose "File Hashes" tab
d) compare value with stable i386 hash value on https://tails.boum.org/inc/stable_i386_hash/ (If it's not the same value, call the NSA and ask why they manipulated your download, download again)
5) burn an ISO image on a DVD
6) shut down computer
7) start your computer with your new Tails DVD in your drive.
Your computer must be able to boot from DVD. If not and you don't know how to change it, go to startpage.com and search for "Change the Boot Order Computer BIOS"
Put Tails on USB stick:
8) choose Applications, Tails, Tails Installer
9) click Clone & Install
10) plug in your USB stick (4 GB is recommended, I once had problems, chose an 8 GB stick and it worked)
11) USB stick appears in the list
12) choose it
13) shut down computer
14) start Tails from your new Tails USB stick.
Your computer must be able to boot from USB.
Optional: create a persistent volume on your USB stick to store some data
15) https://tails.boum.org/doc/first_steps/persistence/configure/index.en.html
Don't forget:
16) Still use your brain. No system is perfect.
Sweet post, you might want to post this in /r/DarkNetMarketsNoobs as well.