What is the best way to encrypt a USB drive that can be used on multiple OSes?
2 years ago by ninjaturtle to c/privacy
Not sure is this is the best place to post this question, but wondering what is the best way to encrypt a usb drive?
Want to be able to carry an encrypted flash drive with me but also be able to unlock it, if possible, on various OSes. Preferably with some kind of portable software. Something similar to the method that comes with the Kingston Data Traveler USB drives.
Edit: Seems like Veracrypt and Cryptomator are the best options to check out. Thank everyone!
This, except consider exFAT. It's more modern than FAT32 but also widely compatible.
Back when I used Windows, it worked fine for me out of the box between Win7 and both Ubuntu-based and Arch-based Linux distros đ¤ˇ
I have had major issues with exFAT across a variety of platforms. But I also work with a bunch of niche gear. But my point is simply that being widely compatible isnât the same as being fully compatible. And OP was asking for the best way to reach the widest compatibility. That calls for FAT32, even if it has issues with things like file size.
I make 1 single partition for the entire drive and encrypt it with veracrypt. Veracrypt has portable executables for windows and if I lose the flash drive in the worst case people will think it's a corrupted disk (unrecognized partition) and reformat them probably.
This was my immediate thought as well. Portable launchers for the various OSâes on a tiny (just large enough to store the launchers) FAT32 partition, then a large FAT32 partition (the majority of the drive) encrypted by VeraCrypt. As long as it can read FAT32 and run VeraCrypt, itâll be compatible. And that covers Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and Mac ecosystems. Itâs not as simple as just plugging it in and getting a password prompt, but itâs going to be the most compatible while still allowing for (nearly) the entire drive to be encrypted.
Yup Veracrypt is great even has a portable version that can be kept on the drive (might still need admin privileges though) so you won't have to install it on the system iirc . Would also go with cryptomator if you plan on using it with mobile systems but it has a one time payment for mobile.
Probably far from the best option; but you could use 7zip? Put a 7zip portable exe & linux binary on the usb, put the regular contents in an encrypted .zip file, anyone with the password can decrypt. I assume there are much more secure options though.
Encrypted ZIPs are very trivial to break. I can break it with a simple python script.
For instance, Microsoft does that for all encrypted ZIPs
7zip encryption is solid, but the problem with this is that you don't Mount 7zip, so you have to extract it. Once you extract encrypted files into a drive thats not encrypted, they may as well never have been encrypted in the first place.
Its better to use a tool that creates an encrypted filesystem that you can mount and read-write directly without copying the files onto another disk
The best option is going to be a USB drive that has an external key entry feature. Kingston IronKey has these and its as simple as enter a key and plug in. I use them at work and it works on all the major OSes. They're not cheap though so if you want or are looking for a free solution then something like VeraCrypt portable and an encrypted container will be your next best option.
Ooff, terrible advise
How about you tell me why instead of just saying "TeRribLe AdViSe."
Because historically when FDE is done in hardware there's been massive compromises. FDE is better done in software. Its more secure.
But, sure, there's no shortage of companies trying to sell you shitty hardware thats "100% secure" (which is a major red flag)
Nothing is 100% fool proof. Hardware or software encryption both have their issues. Case in point, Truecrypt (on which VeraCrypt is based) had a few issues that ultimately led to its demise. Hardware devices (I saw mention of one SSD maker) a few or years ago would store keys on the device that could be read off. So you're going to have to give me a source for "FDE is better done in software. It's more secure" beyond "just trust me bro."
Tomb on macos and Linux https://dyne.org/tomb
Get a Kingston IronKey. I have personally used the D500S. This is an off the shelf solution so it is a bit pricy. But it does look like they have lower versions in the same product line. Maybe you will find something that fits your budget.
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Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
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@lemmy.ml
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
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Veracrypt. Make a file on your disk.
Don't want a storage file?
Make 2 partitions, put veracrypt portable exe on the first normal storage partition. (fat32 is likely ideal here) Second partition formatted with veracrypt.
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