How to encrypt an internal and external hard drive in Linux and keep it protected at all times? Step-by-step guide

One of the aspects we can consider when strengthening the security of a Linux computer It is to perform encryption on the hard driveThis involves encoding the information to increase data privacy.

This way, it will be much more difficult for intruders to access our computer. But keep in mind that to retrieve that information you must not forget your access codesince it will be impossible to access it.

In this post we will mention the steps that You will need to do what to encrypt a Linux diskWe'll also discuss the benefits of choosing this technology and the best coding tools. Let's get started!

Steps to encrypt an external or internal hard drive on my Linux computer

Before we begin, we will use Ubuntu as the Linux distribution; this does not mean that you cannot use another distro. Just keep in mind that the first step will change, as you will be looking for the update from a different source, which we will refer you to.But the rest of the steps will be exactly the same.

Another preliminary clarification we'll make is that It is advisable that you perform a backup of all the important data so that you don't lose it, in case you make a mistake in the following steps.

Once everything is clear, we can begin. When you want to protect the information stored on the hard drive, internal or external, of your Linux computer, you will need to follow this guide:

Update to the latest version of the distro

When using Ubuntu, you will need to have the latest official version updated to your operating system. ISOTo do this, you will need to access the official Ubuntu website with your browser and search for the latest update.

Download Ubuntu Latest Version

Download balenaEtcher

This tool will allow you to create a “USB” memory “bootable”This will allow you to easily incorporate various ISO images. The steps you should follow are:

• Choose the Ubuntu image you want to download.
• Look for the removable memory as the medium to store the ISO.
• Finally, click on "Flash".
• Once you have done this, you will have the Ubuntu image correctly installed on the USB drive.

Download BalenaEtcher Linux

Configure the BIOS

When you enter the BIOS From your computer, you will need to select the tab “BOOT”, then choose the option “Removable Devices”This will require you to choose the removable drive containing the latest version of Ubuntu as the first boot device on your computer.

After a few seconds, a window with a different interface will appear. In this case, you will need to check the boxes. “Using LVM in the Ubuntu installation” y “Encrypt your Ubuntu installation for greater security”.

Create special partitions

If you wish to create specific partitions To resize or select multiple partitions for Ubuntu at the same time, you will need to select the tool "More options"With this, you can activate the box that best suits your needs.

Choose the type of installation

At this point, you will need to define the encryption volume, as well as the installation size. To do this, you will need to select the appropriate option in the box. "Size" whatever you want, then enter it in the field “Using how to choose the physical volume for encryption”.

Choose a security key

All that remains is to press on "To accept" In the previous window, save the changes you have made so you can continue with the entire installation process.

A window will appear in which you must choose the field “Encrypting the Ubuntu installation” and look for the option "Install Now"This will prompt you to set a password to protect your files in case you lose your device.

Perform the installation

All that remains is to complete the installation, as you have already defined all the preliminary steps. You will need to click on the option "Install Now" And after a few minutes you will have to set your location, your name and password.

Once you have finished entering all the requested information, you will need to click on "Continue".

Check the encryption

If you followed all the steps correctly, you can verify the encryption by restarting your computer if it asks for a password. You will have completed the entire process successfully..

What are the benefits of keeping my physical disks encrypted?

When you encode your internal or external physical disks, you will gain access to certain benefits, which we will mention below:

• All the information you have you will keep it locked, which increases the privacy of your data.
• In case of loss or theft No one will be able to access important data without your authorization.
• Somewhat related to the previous point, Only people you trust will be allowed to join your team.
• Confidential data will be handled with care and cannot be hacked, as no one will be able to find out what information you have encrypted.
• It allows the destruction of encrypted data.In other words, encryption prevents anyone from accessing your data. If you need to sell the device, you can format it and destroy the private information, ensuring that no one can access your data through any technological means.

List of the best tools and programs for encrypting disks in Linux

There are different tools that will help you encrypt disks in Linux. Below we will show you the most outstanding ones that you can currently find:

LUKS

This tool allows for the provision of a standard format to facilitate compatibility between Linux distributions. It has the advantage that it allows the user to migrate data between different configurations using only the partition header.It is open source and it is not recommended to use this tool on any operating system other than Linux.

Download LUKS Linux

Ciphershed

It is also open-source software and can be used in both Linux, just like Windows and MacOS. It is considered by many to be one of the best disk encryption programs, as it is based on the popular TrueCrypt container. This allows for much simpler functionality and the use of hidden volumes.

Download Ciphershed Linux

VeraCrypt

It is also based on TrueCryptThe algorithms it uses allow systems to be encrypted very easily, making them immune to brute-force attacks by hackers.

While encryption takes a little longer than other toolsThis is because it performs more iterations than the others, making the result much more secure and reliable. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Download VeraCrypt Linux

AES Crypt

This powerful tool, which many consider to offer the most comprehensive data protection and privacy, couldn't be missing. It allows you to encrypt the entire disk as well as protect your data. cloud storage.

It's an open-source tool, like almost all other Linux tools, providing users with important protection for their private data. The license is free to distribute.

Download AES Linux Crypt

eCryptfs

It's another tool open source that manages to encrypt the files you have in a companyThis way you will have access to all the data handled by the company through passwords, preventing any unauthorized user from accessing it.

Download eCryptfs Linux