Background Information

Released in February 2002, Tinfoil Hat Linux is a highly compact, security-driven distribution developed by the Shmoo Group. It is small enough to fit onto a single HD floppy disk and is designed not to require a hard drive, making it easy to wipe from a computer. While the project has since become a low priority in 2013, the operating system can still be acquired in the gzip format.

In addition to being compact, Tinfoil Hat also features several security features that are designed to prevent both hardware and software-based surveillance methods, including keylogging, video camera intrusion, and signal interception.

"It started as a secure, single floppy, bootable Linux distribution for storing PGP keys and then encrypting, signing, and wiping files. At some point, it became an exercise in over-engineering."

- Tinfoil Hat Linux Homepage

Technical Specifications

General Information

  • Developer: Shmoo Group
  • Licensing: Modified BSD License
  • OS Family: Linux(Unix Like)
  • Initial Release Date: February 2002
  • Latest Release Date: 2013

Availability Information

  • Languages: Multilingual
  • Platforms: i386

System Information

  • Working State: Discontinued
  • Source Model: Open Source
  • Default User Interface: CLI/Bourne Shell

Security Features

  • Encryption: GNU Privacy Guard and Other Public Key Cryptography Software
  • Data Retrieval: Both temporary files and GPG key files are created on an encrypted RAM disk, which is deleted when the machine is shut down
  • Keystroke Monitoring: GPG Grid
  • Anti-Over Shoulder Reading: Low contrast mode to prevent reading over the user's shoulder

Additional Information