System Administration

Essential System Tools: VeraCrypt – Strong disk encryption software

Last Updated on May 28, 2022

Summary

VeraCrypt fully warrants inclusion in our Essential System Tools feature.

You can encrypt an entire filing system, including folder names, filenames, all of the content of each and every file, the metadata, free space, and more. It offers enterprise-grade encryption for data you want to protect. Keep your data safe from prying eyes.

VeraCrypt improves and enhances the security of the algorithms used when systems and partitions are encrypted. It’s immune to brute-force attacks, so you’ll be safe from hackers decrypting your passwords and other important data.

It’s also easy to use with a helpful wizard for newcomers. There’s good documentation for the project which helps both the beginner and advanced user alike.

Website: www.veracrypt.fr
Support: Documentation, Forums, GitHub Code Repository
Developer: IDRIX
License: Multi-licensed under Apache License 2.0 and the TrueCrypt License version 3.0

VeraCrypt is written in C and C++. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Introduction / Installation
Page 2 – In Operation
Page 3 – Other Features
Page 4 – Summary

All the essential tools in this series:

Essential System Tools
AlacrittyInnovative, hardware-accelerated terminal emulator
BleachBitSystem cleaning software. Quick and easy way to service your computer
bottomGraphical process/system monitor for the terminal
btop++Monitor usage and stats for CPU, memory, disks, network and processes
catfishVersatile file searching software
ClonezillaPartition and disk cloning software
CPU-XSystem profiler with both a GUI and text-based
CzkawkaFind duplicate files, big files, empty files, similar images, and much more
ddrescueData recovery tool, retrieving data from failing drives as safely as possible
dustMore intuitive version of du written in Rust
f3Detect and fix counterfeit flash storage
Fail2banBan hosts that cause multiple authentication errors
fdupesFind or delete duplicate files
FirejailRestrict the running environment of untrusted applications
GlancesCross-platform system monitoring tool written in Python
GPartedResize, copy, and move partitions without data
GreenWithEnvyNVIDIA graphics card utility
gtopSystem monitoring dashboard
gWakeOnLANTurn machines on through Wake On LAN
hyperfineCommand-line benchmarking tool
inxiCommand-line system information tool that's a time-saver for everyone
journalctlQuery and display messages from the journal
kmonManage Linux kernel modules with this text-based tool
KrusaderAdvanced, twin-panel (commander-style) file manager
NeofetchSystem information tool written in Bash
NmapNetwork security tool that builds a "map" of the network
nmonSystems administrator, tuner, and benchmark tool
nnnPortable terminal file manager that's amazingly frugal
petSimple command-line snippet manager
PingnooGraphical representation for traceroute and ping output
ps_memAccurate reporting of software's memory consumption
SMCMulti-featured system monitor written in Python
TimeshiftReliable system restore tool
QDirStatQt-based directory statistics
QJournalctlGraphical User Interface for systemd’s journalctl
TLPMust-have tool for anyone running Linux on a notebook
UnisonConsole and graphical file synchronization software
VeraCryptStrong disk encryption software
VentoyCreate bootable USB drive for ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), EFI files
WTFPersonal information dashboard for your terminal
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GHammer
GHammer
5 years ago

I just installed VeraCrypt today. Coming from the Windows world, I used it for sensitive information, and today after 6 months on Linux, needed the security it offers.
You can fiddle with individual file/folder encryption, but why? I use the file container method and can take my encrypted info anywhere and with VeraCrypt in portable mode, I have access to it.

Nice article.