Some features of BitLocker.

BitLocker has an option that allows blocking the system startup process. Consequently, the system will load only when the user enters a pin or a device with the password. Here are some of its most important features:

• BitLocker supports 128- and 256-bit XTS-AES keys
• Encrypt and recover devices with Azure Active Directory
• A new Group Policy designed to configure Windows pre-boot recovery has been added
• It is possible to enable the Credential Guard function without UEFI blocking
• Improved Credentials Manager Support
• XTS-AES encryption algorithm This is special against those of direct attacks to the encryption. These attacks are based on manipulating encrypted text to edit system changes

Process for encrypting the external storage drive.

In the first place, right-click on the USB drive and select Turn on BitLocker.

Forthwith, it will start the configuration wizard. It will ask for the type of unlocking: Password and smart card. In this case, we will use a password. With this intention, add the password along with its validation.

Next, you can choose where to backup the recovery key. The options are: Save to Microsoft account, save to file and print the recovery key. For this purpose, save the key to a file.

It then stores the key in a secure directory.

Subsequently, two encryption options are offered. New encryption with improved security but not compatible with older versions of Windows. And compatible encryption. Depending on the use that will be given to the USB device then make the selection.

After the previous preparations have been made, the wizard will start the encryption of the device.

After completing the encryption process, click on Close to exit the wizard.

Then open the file browser and on the removable drive, you will see a lock icon indicating that the drive is encrypted.

Reverse the encryption process

After encrypting the unit, it is necessary to enter the password to gain access. If at any point you no longer need BitLocker, you can disable it. With this in mind, right-click on the drive and select Manage BitLocker

In the next window, click on Turn Off BitLocker

A warning message will be displayed. Please confirm the Turn off BitLocker to begin the process.

Immediately the assistant will start the process. When finished, press Close to exit.

Now when you enter the file browser, the removable drive is displayed without a lock icon. Consequently, it can be accessed without any problem

Finally, we’ve seen how to encrypt USB drives in Windows 10. With this simple method, you can add a password and encrypt the USB drive using BitLocker. This increases the security of our USB devices and protects the most sensitive information. Well, this is it! Before I say goodbye, I invite you to review our post about scheduling the automatic shutdown in Windows 10

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For solving this issue, you can set up encryption for your “home” folder. This way, no one can extract sensitive information out of your system and even if they do so, it’ll be nothing more than garbage & unreadable data. Let’s get started with encrypting your “home” folder on your Linux distro.

Note that I’m using Linux Mint. But the system procedure is the same for all the other Linux distros. We’ll be using a tool named “EcryptFS”.

Downloading & Installing the tool

According to your Linux distro, install the tool first.

• Ubuntu + Ubuntu-based

If you’re running Ubuntu or Ubuntu-based distro, run this command:

sudo apt install ecryptfs-utils

• Debian

Run this command:

sudo apt-get install ecryptfs-utils

• Fedora

For Fedora users, this is the required command line:

sudo dnf install ecryptfs-utils

• OpenSUSE

sudo zypper install ecryptfs-utils

• Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S ecryptfs-utils

If your Linux distro or distro-base isn’t listed here, then you have to build it from source. You can also check out the official EcryptFS download page. For any issue with the building, you may need to take help from EcrypFS documentation.

Encrypting the “home” folder

During the encryption process, we have to make a temporary user for performing the encryption tasks. After completing the process, we’ll delete it. This second user is needed as you can’t directly encrypt your “home” folder while logged into the account.

• Add a user account with the name “encrypt-admin”.

• Now, it’s time to start encrypting. Run this command:

sudo ecryptfs-migrate-home –u <username>

• Note that if you want to encrypt multiple accounts, you have to run this process multiple times.

Now, exit the temporary account and login to your main account.

Adding encryption password

After logging in to your original account, run this command:

ecryptfs-add-passphrase

This will give you the option of entering a password for the encrypted “home” folder.

For fully enjoying the feature, restart your Linux system.

Recently, Ubuntu has released their latest edition – v18.04 LTS. Check out every new feature of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.

The post How to Encrypt Home Folder in Linux appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

In this age of cyber warfare, no data is safe. For staying secured, I recommend encrypting the important and sensitive documents so that others can’t read them. Here’re a few methods that you can use to encrypt your files on any Linux system.

• GPG (GnuPG)

It’s one of the best and easiest tools to use for encrypting and decrypting your files. It’s a CLI-based tool, but don’t fear; the commands are really simple to understand.

• Open a terminal by pressing CTRL + Alt + T.
• Go to the file’s directory that you want to encrypt. For example, I’m using “test_doc.txt” file on my desktop. So, I have to run this command:

cd ~/Desktop

• Now, encrypt the file using the following command:

gpg2 -c test_doc.txt

Note that there are two versions of GPG (gpg and gpg2). Gpg2 is recommended as it’s better and improved. You’ll be asked to provide a password

If you want to decrypt the file, use the following command:

gpg2 test_doc.txt.gpg

Voila! Your file is encrypted using your own password. Feel free to delete the original file, as it will not be needed anymore. The file is already inside the .GPG archive.

• mCrypt

This is another CLI-based tool for Linux. It doesn’t come by default with Linux distros, so you have to install it on your own. Depending on your Linux distro, install mCrypt using the following method:

sudo apt install mcrypt                      [Ubuntu + Ubuntu-based distros]
sudo apt-get install mcrypt                  [Debian]
sudo dnf install mcrypt                      [Fedora]
sudo zypper install mcrypt                   [OpenSUSE]

Now, the working method. It’s really simple and fun. It also supports multiple files at the same time.

• Go to the directory where your file is. Here, I’m using the same file, the same directory as before (“test_doc.txt” on Desktop).
• Run this command:

mcrypt text_doc.txt

If you want to add multiple files, follow this structure:

mcrypt file1 file2 file3

It’s time to decrypt the files.

• Go to the directory where the encrypted files are.
• Run the following command:

mcrypt -d test_doc.txt.nc

If you’re decrypting multiple .NC files, use this structure:

mcrypt -d file1.nc file2.nc file3.nc

Your files are back!

• File Manager

Every file manager that comes with every Linux distro contains a good & functioning app. Using the file manager, you can create a password-protected ZIP file that contains all the files.

• Select the files you want to encrypt.
• Right-click and select “Compress” (or equivalent option).
• Enter a password for the ZIP file.

• Click “Create” (or equivalent).

Note that depending on your distro, the options and figure will vary, but the basic will be the same.

Caution

Make sure that you don’t forget the password! Never, ever! If you forget the password, there’s no way of recovering it (in your lifetime).

So, have some fun with your privacy! But Firefox seriously messed up privacy with their poor system design. Learn about the Firefox “Master Password” flaw that puts lots of users at stake.

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