In Tails, an administration password is required to perform system administration tasks.
For example:

• To install new programs and packages
• To access the internal hard disks of the computer
• To execute commands with sudo

By default, the administration password is disabled for better security. This can prevent an attacker with physical or remote access to your Tails system to gain administration privileges and perform administration tasks against your will.

Set up an administration password

In order to perform administration tasks, you need to set up an administration password when starting Tails, using Tails Greeter.

1. When Tails Greeter appears, in the Welcome to Tails window, click on the Yes button. Then click on the Forward button.

2. In the Administration password section, specify a password of your choice in both the Password and Verify Password text boxes.

How to open a root terminal

To open a root terminal during your working session, you can do any of the following:

• Choose Applications ▸ Accessories ▸ Root Terminal.

• Execute sudo -i in a terminal.