this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2025
166 points (99.4% liked)

Linux

49090 readers
433 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I was recently intrigued to learn that only half of the respondents to a survey said that they used disk encryption. Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows have been increasingly using encryption by default. On the other hand, while most Linux installers I've encountered include the option to encrypt, it is not selected by default.

Whether it's a test bench, beater laptop, NAS, or daily driver, I encrypt for peace of mind. Whatever I end up doing on my machines, I can be pretty confident my data won't end up in the wrong hands if the drive is stolen or lost and can be erased by simply overwriting the LUKS header. Recovering from an unbootable state or copying files out from an encrypted boot drive only takes a couple more commands compared to an unencrypted setup.

But that's just me and I'm curious to hear what other reasons to encrypt or not to encrypt are out there.

(page 5) 20 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

I always encrypt my computer SSD as well as my external backup drive. I just wish that when installing a Linux distro and when selecting encryption that it would work with multiple drives

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

Depends. On external drives yes. On internal boot drive no. I had performance issues and thermal issues with it so stopped on boot drives.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

No need as none of them are networked

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Do you physically crush and grind your drives once they are end-of-life?

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] [email protected] -1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

I was recently intrigued to learn that only half of the respondents to a survey said that they used NO disk encryption.

Is the other half alright?

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] [email protected] -1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (4 children)

No. I prefer the quickest way to share my data between different computers and operating systems on my home network. I will also mention that my network is not accessible over the internet.

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] [email protected] -1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Because it requires generating, memorizing and entering a secure password. Because Linux typically doesn't support fingerprint readers or other biometrics.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You can just store the key in your TPM and then you don't have to memorize anything.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

Is that near the TPS reports?

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›