Shufflecake is a tool for Linux that allows to create multiple hidden volumes on a storage device in such a way that it is very difficult, even under forensic inspection, to prove the existence of such volumes. This is useful for people whose freedom of expression is threatened by repressive authorities or dangerous criminal organizations, in particular: whistleblowers, investigative journalists, and activists for human rights in oppressive regimes.
You can consider Shufflecake a “spiritual successor” of tools such as TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt. It works natively on Linux, it supports any filesystem of choice, and can concurrently manage multiple nested volumes per device, so to make deniability of the existence of these partitions really plausible.
The three operating principles of Shufflecake are:
- 1 device = multiple (concurrently usable) volumes;
- 1 volume = 1 password = 1 “secrecy level”;
- unlocking a volume also unlocks all those of lesser secrecy level.
Volumes are password-protected, and embedded in the underlying device as data slices which are indistinguishable from random noise without the proper password. A Shufflecake-initialized device does not have cleartext headers, and is indistinguishable from random noise when not decrypted.
Up to 15 ordered Shufflecake volumes can be created on a single device, with the implicit assumption that “lower-order” volumes (e.g. layer 0) are less secret than “higher-order” ones (e.g. layer 3). Shufflecake is designed in such a way that it chains volumes in a backwards-linked list: volume i “points to” (contains the key of) volume i-1. This way, providing the key of volume i allows this tool to traverse the list and also automatically open volumes 0 through i-1 (besides volume i).
This is free and open source software.
Website: codeberg.org/shufflecake/shufflecake-c
Support:
Developer: Benjamin Voisin, Elia Anzuoni, Nagravision Sàrl, Tommaso Gagliardoni
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Shufflecake is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
 | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
 | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
 | The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. |
 | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, SAS, Progress, Salesforce, and Citrix |
 | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
 | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
 | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
 | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
 | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
 | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
 | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
 | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
 | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
 | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
 | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
 | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
 | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
 | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
 | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
 | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
 | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
 | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |