Full Disk Encryption with VeraCrypt on Ubuntu Linux
Full disk encryption is an essential security measure for Linux computer users. It ensures that private data stored on hard disks remains safe in the event of theft or unauthorized access. VeraCrypt is a free, open-source disk encryption utility that can be used to encrypt entire hard disks on Ubuntu Linux systems.
Why Use VeraCrypt?
VeraCrypt offers several benefits to users over other disk encryption solutions:
- It’s free and open source: VeraCrypt is free to use and is developed by an open-source community, so users can be sure that there are no hidden backdoors or malicious code.
- High security: VeraCrypt uses state-of-the-art encryption algorithms and can use multiple encryption keys to secure sensitive data.
- User friendly: VeraCrypt is easy to use and provides an intuitive graphical user interface.
- Cross-platform: VeraCrypt is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Installing VeraCrypt on Ubuntu
Installing VeraCrypt on Ubuntu is a simple process. Start by downloading the VeraCrypt Linux installer from the VeraCrypt website. Once the download is complete, open the terminal and navigate to the directory where the file was downloaded. Install the package by running the command:
$ sudo dpkg -i veracrypt-1.xx-setup.deb
Next, run the following command to install any dependencies required for VeraCrypt:
$ sudo apt-get install -f
Once the installation is complete, VeraCrypt can be launched by running the command:
$ veracrypt
Using VeraCrypt on Ubuntu
VeraCrypt can be used to encrypt entire hard disks on Ubuntu systems. To create an encrypted volume, start by launching the VeraCrypt application. Navigate to the “Create Volume” section and select “Create an encrypted file container.”
Once the encrypted container has been created, select the volume from the menu and select “Mount.” Enter the password and mount the volume. The encrypted volume will appear as a virtual drive in the file explorer.
To dismount the volume, select “Dismount” from the VeraCrypt menu and select the volume to be dismounted.
Conclusion
VeraCrypt is a powerful, free, and open-source disk encryption utility that can be used to secure sensitive data on Ubuntu Linux systems. It offers high levels of security and is easy to use, making it an ideal choice for users who need to protect their data.