File encryption with EncFS
Command Line – EncFS
© Lead Image © Marvin Ristau de, Fotolia.com
EncFS is an easy and effective CLI application for encrypting files that also allows for customization.
Linux has no shortages of solutions for file encryption. First released in 2001, EncFS [1] is one of the oldest solutions but remains one of the easiest to set up and use. It uses two directories: an unencrypted directory for dropping files into, and an encrypted directory that automatically creates encrypted copies of those files. Any further manipulation of the setup or files is done with the encfsctrl utility [2]. However, some insecure copies of EncFS are still in use, so be careful to get 1.9.5, the latest version, which fixes the vulnerabilities of earlier versions.
EncFS has several other advantages besides its ease of use. One is that because EncFS runs in userspace, using the FUSE libraries [3], ordinary users, not just root, can create its virtual filesystem. Additionally, running in userspace means that an encrypted volume can be administered by existing utilities such as Rsync and fsck. Similarly, standard backup utilities can back up only the EncFS-associated files that have changed.
EncFS can use both removable drives and cloud storage (see below). The volume key that is usually stored in the same directory as the encrypted data can be password protected and stored elsewhere, including on a removable drive or in the cloud for added security. Also, encrypted directories do not have any fixed size, growing as files are added or deleted instead of requiring a fixed space to be allocated. All these features add up to a CLI application that is almost as easy to use as a graphical interface.
[...]
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
-
Wayland 1.24 Released with Fixes and New Features
Wayland continues to move forward, while X11 slowly vanishes into the shadows, and the latest release includes plenty of improvements.
-
Bugs Found in sudo
Two critical flaws allow users to gain access to root privileges.
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
LibreOffice Tested as Possible Office 365 Alternative
Another major organization has decided to test the possibility of migrating from Microsoft's Office 365 to LibreOffice.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.