Opsec Question

So I have a desktop I've had for two or three years, it's an hp pavilion, it has so much crap on it, program's I don't use, it's windows 7 os, I just want to get rid of it all. I want to start over. How should I do this? I don't care for any program's on it, and would like to run a linux os on it and start anew. Start using top of the line posed ya know, linux tails vpns the whole kit and kaboodles. Any info or tips appreciated


Comments


[1 Points] evilpumpkin:

If you want to use the computer for Tails only take out the harddrive, and optical drive to save weight and battery life and get yourself a fast stick or SD card (if the notebook supports booting from SD cards). Installing Tails on a computer defeats the purpose of the A and the L.

You could of course install Debian or Ubuntu (if you like heavyweight Windows-ripoffs) on the harddrive and keep using the computer for simple browsing and office tasks when it's not in use for your detached identity.


[1 Points] DancingWindAway:

How should I do this?

If you don't use Tails and remove the HDD anyways you have to nuke it to be safe before you do anything else. I recommand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darik%27s_Boot_and_Nuke


[1 Points] hksupport:

If you do end up using it, make sure to spoof the MAC address of the ethernet or wifi adapter. Some place somewhere may have gotten that at some point and that could still link back to you. Tails does that in it's startup options, but obviously most normal OS's don't just offer that up right away. As somebody else mentioned, you probably want to start with something like Ubuntu just to get familiar with Linux in a way that's not too different from what you might be used to. So I would download and burn Ubunutu to a disc/usb, then do the same with DBAN then dban all your hard drives, and then stick ubuntu on one and run that to get used to it. It won't be really privacy oriented, but it'll get you practicing Linux, and you can still boot into Tails in the meantime. Then, when you feel comfortable doing stuff with the terminal, you can wipe again and pick a more privacy-oriented by more difficult Linux distro. Arch is a common one because it comes with truly fucking nothing on it and you customize build it from the ground up. That would take a LOT of time though... but it might be worth while and an interesting project.