Live Mode for Whonix

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Whonix Live Mode is available for Whonix if the host operating system (OS) supports it. This means that nothing is saved and Whonix forgets everything you've done after your session. This feature has been long requested and is very suitable for use cases involving sensitive data.

Alternatively, Whonix has a Live Mode boot option.

Boot menu with boot option Live Mode selected.

Introduction and Definitions

To use Whonix without leaving any traces the feature live mode was introduced. In live mode the system can be used as normal but all data is lost and gone after the session. In sensitive temporary data use cases this is very beneficial.

Whonix live mode is available for Whonix as guest OS and/or if the host OS supports it. A host operating system (OS) runs directly on your physical hardware. A guest OS runs inside a virtual machine.

Terminology on this page:

• A) if live mode is available on the host OS we will use HOST,
• B) if Whonix is a guest OS we will use VM GUEST.

Starting Live Mode

1. Platform specific notice.

• Non-Qubes-Whonix: No special notice.
• Qubes-Whonix: Unavailable.

2. Boot your Whonix VM (VM GUEST) or power on the computer (HOST)

Restart / reboot if your system is already running.

3. Look closely at the Boot Menu

The grub boot menu (read more about grub bootloader here) will show your 3 options, the asterisk symbol indicates the selected option. Read all options and analyse their meaning on a basic level. The "normal" mode is called persistent mode.

The three options are:

• Whonix GNU/Linux
• Advanced options for Whonix GNU/Linux
• Whonix Live-mode GNU/Linux

What is the current selection? The current boot option selected is indicated by the asterisk symbol and also by the white text color.

Can multiple options be chosen at once? No, at a time you can only select on option. The unselected boot options have NO asterisk at the front and a light blue text color.

4. To choose Live Mode use the arrow keys.

LIVE mode USER (For daily activities.) - to switch to this option use the arrow keys (up ↑ and down ↓) on the keyboard.

5. Press ENTER.

Simply press enter after you've selected live mode.

6. Done.

Now the system is booting into live mode.

First Boot

Applicability: These instructions are only necessary for users intending to use live mode. Users who always (or mostly) use persistent mode (the default boot option) can disregard these instructions.

For the very first time Whonix-Gateway^™ is started, please start it in persistent mode (the option is simply named "Whonix"), NOT in live mode. This will allow Tor to make use of Tor Entry Guards for automatic initial setup.

From the second time Whonix-Gateway is started onwards, it is the user may opt-in to run it in live mode if non-persistence, amnesia is desired.

This should eliminate any Tor-related cached data like DNS requests that could leave traces about web activity. However, be warned that it may make your Tor behavior distinguishable from that of regular Tor users, which could weaken your anonymity somewhat. This applies to:

• Consensus files: These files will be downloaded or re-downloaded more frequently.
• Tor guards: When switching to a new guard after several months have passed.

See Also

• Introduction: Whonix Documentation Introduction, User Expectations, Footnotes and References, User Expectations - What Documentation Is and What It Is Not
• Whonix is based on Kicksecure^™: Whonix inherits many features and principles from Kicksecure.
• Kicksecure is based on Debian: Kicksecure builds upon the stability of Debian.
• Inheritance: Therefore, Whonix is also based on Debian.
• Debian is GNU/Linux-based: Debian primarily uses the GNU/Linux as its foundation.
• Shared documentation benefits: Because one distribution is based on another:
  • Inherited documentation: Little specific documentation is required for each layer.
  • Shared principles: Features and principles often remain consistent across forks. Users can often follow the same instructions for both Whonix and Kicksecure.
• Keep using Whonix: This does not mean the user should switch to Kicksecure.
• Where to apply the instructions: The instructions should be applied inside Whonix.
• Wiki editors notice: This box is wiki template upstream_wiki. (Pages that link to it.)
• Comparison: Whonix versus Kicksecure
• Documentation compatibility: Since Whonix is based on Kicksecure, the user can follow these instructions for Live Mode . Apply the instructions inside Whonix, not Kicksecure.
• Note: Re-interpretation...

Kicksecure: Perform these steps inside Kicksecure.

Instead the user should apply the instructions inside Whonix-Workstation.

Kicksecure for Qubes: Perform these steps inside Qubes kicksecure-17 Template.

Instead the user should apply the instructions inside whonix-workstation-17 Template.

Footnotes

Whonix The most watertight privacy operating system in the world.

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Whonix is proudly supported until 2025 by Power Up Privacy, a privacy advocacy group that seeks to supercharge privacy projects with resources so they can complete their mission of making our world a better place. (Strictly subject to our sponsorship policy.)

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