Encrypting partitions with cryptsetup
Simple Security
Modern installers offer the option of encryption with just a few clicks, but you might want to take control of the process. We show how to encrypt your partitions safely without sacrificing convenience.
The easiest time to encrypt a partition is when installing your operating system. Usually, you don't have to juggle existing partitions or even think about the process: Just click an option, and many modern installers take care of the rest. By contrast, encryption after installation is more complex, although it's still possible, as long as you work systematically.
Because modern installers routinely give the option of encryption, you might think it an unalloyed good. What could possibly go wrong with concealing your data from intruders? The simple answer is: a lot.
For one reason, all forms of encryption reduce performance, which means that encryption might not be suitable for older or less powerful machines. For another, if an encrypted filesystem becomes corrupted, recovery becomes more complicated – especially if you have encrypted the entire drive. The man page for cryptsetup [1] can give all sorts of other worries to test your nerves, ranging from corrupted headers, to problems when character encoding changes, to lingering problems caused by insufficiently wiped data.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Fedora 43 Has Finally Landed
The Fedora Linux developers have announced their latest release, Fedora 43.
-
KDE Unleashes Plasma 6.5
The Plasma 6.5 desktop environment is now available with new features, improvements, and the usual bug fixes.
-
Xubuntu Site Possibly Hacked
It appears that the Xubuntu site was hacked and briefly served up a malicious ZIP file from its download page.
-
LMDE 7 Now Available
Linux Mint Debian Edition, version 7, has been officially released and is based on upstream Debian.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Reaches EOL
Linux kernel 6.16 has reached its end of life, which means you'll need to upgrade to the next stable release, Linux kernel 6.17.
-
Amazon Ditches Android for a Linux-Based OS
Amazon has migrated from Android to the Linux-based Vega OS for its Fire TV.
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.