How to create and use LUKS encrypted partition in Linux

It is easy to create a LUKS container and a partition within it, using the GUI on Linux. The application that enables this easily is the gnome-disk-utility. However, if you want to use the command line to set up a LUKS encrypted device, read on. Exercise appropriate caution before doing any of the below with … Continue reading How to create and use LUKS encrypted partition in Linux →

How to open a LUKS container file using thunar file manager in Linux

To open a LUKS container file in Thunar file manager in Linux, right click on the container file and select the option Open with Disk Image Mounter. This way, the LUKS container will appear as Device in thunar and can be mounted.

Error when opening a LUKS encrypted container file /dev/loop0 Device or resource is busy on Ubuntu 18.10 Gnome Desktop

When you enter the command below in a terminal window: $ sudo /sbin/losetup /dev/loop0 /home/user1/folder1/containerdatafile <enter> Device error or resource busy error message appears and the device is not setup. The reason is that /dev/loop0 is taken by snap. To overcome the error, change /dev/loop0 to something else like /dev/loop35 Or, if you do not … Continue reading Error when opening a LUKS encrypted container file /dev/loop0 Device or resource is busy on Ubuntu 18.10 Gnome Desktop →

Error bd_crypto_luks_open_blob called but not implemented when opening Luks Encrypted volume in Lubuntu

Below error appears in Lubuntu 18.04 LTS bd_crypto_luks_open_blob called, but not implemented when opening Luks Encrypted volume using PCManFM, the Lubuntu File Manager. To overcome this error, open a terminal window and enter the commands below: $ sudo apt install libblockdev-crypto2 <enter> $ systemctl restart udisks2.service <enter>

Recover encrypted ecryptfs home folder from encrypted dm-crypt luks disk volume

Whew... saved by the skin of teeth. The grub2 bootloader of my computer got corrupt. I was not able to boot into the computer and all was lost. For security reasons, I set up LVM with full disk encryption. Thereafter, each user's home folder was further encrypted with ecryptfs (the default you get when you … Continue reading Recover encrypted ecryptfs home folder from encrypted dm-crypt luks disk volume →

How to encrypt swap partition on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

If you installed Ubuntu 14.04 afresh, and selected home folder encryption, you will also get an encrypted swap partition. However, when the computer boots, you get the following error message: the disk drive for /dev/mapper/cryptswap1 is not ready yet or not present. Note that you need to have a proper data backup and make sure … Continue reading How to encrypt swap partition on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS →

How to check if swap is encrypted in Ubuntu

Start up a terminal window and then enter the commands as shown in italics below. The following command will tell you if your swap is encrypted in Ubuntu 12.04. $ swapon --summary <enter> Filename Type Size Used Priority /dev/mapper/cryptswap1 partition 3904508 0 -1 Above indicates swap is encrypted. If it returned nothing except the heading, … Continue reading How to check if swap is encrypted in Ubuntu →

Encrypting a container file using dm-crypt / cryptsetup instead of TrueCrypt

Encrypting a container file using dm-crypt / cryptsetup instead of TrueCrypt There are many users who use TrueCrypt (http://www.truecrypt.org) to encrypt our data backups for added security. To us, TrueCrypt was one of the best tools available. However, with the latest update on the TrueCrypt website, the developers have stated that those using TrueCrypt should … Continue reading Encrypting a container file using dm-crypt / cryptsetup instead of TrueCrypt →