Few days ago we showed you how to create encrypted directories and folders in Ubuntu 12.10 using EncFS. We told you that EncFS uses FUSE library and Linux kernel modules to provide the filesystem without special requiring permissions.
To read our previous post on this topic, please click here.
In this brief tutorial, I am going to show you how to use the same tool to encrypt your folder, but this method is going to be much easier than our last tutorial. In our last tutorial, everything was done from the command line and I know that not everyone is confortable with using Linux command line.
So, instead of using the command line to encrypt folders, I will show you how to use Cryptkeeper, a simple GUI program that uses EncFS as a backend to encrypts. It is designed to be used from your desktop toolbar without using any commands. It’s especially useful if you’re new to Ubuntu.
To get started, press Ctrl – Alt – T on your keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the commands below to install EncFS and Cryptkeeper.
sudo apt-get install encfs cryptkeeper
After you installed Cryptkeeper, by default it won’t open and dock on the system tray, that’s because only approved programs are allowed to dock on the system tray in Ubuntu. To see programs that are currently allowed to dock on the system tray, run the commands below.
gsettings get com.canonical.Unity.Panel systray-whitelist
You should see something like this below after running the above commands. The programs in the brackets are white-listed. So in order for Cryptkeeper to start up, you must add it to the system tray white-list to be white-listed.
To to that, run the commands below to include Cryptkeeper to the white-list, including your currently white-listed apps.
gsettings set com.canonical.Unity.Panel systray-whitelist "['JavaEmbededFrame', 'Wine', 'Update-notifier', 'Cryptkeeper']"
After that, go to Dash, find and launch Cryptkeeper. It will open up on the system tray where you can easily access it. To create a new encrypted folder, click ‘New encrypted folder’ on the list.
Give the folder a name, select where to store it and click ‘Forward’
Next, enter a password to encrypt it. Use the password to decrypt the folder when you wish to access it.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to encrypt directories in Ubuntu 12.10 using EncFS?
You can encrypt directories in Ubuntu 12.10 using EncFS by installing the EncFS and Cryptkeeper packages through the terminal.
What is Cryptkeeper and how does it simplify encryption in Ubuntu?
Cryptkeeper is a simple GUI program that uses EncFS as a backend to encrypt folders in Ubuntu, providing an easier alternative to the command line.
Can Cryptkeeper be docked on the system tray in Ubuntu?
By default, Cryptkeeper does not dock on the system tray in Ubuntu, but you can add it to the white-list to allow it to start up and appear on the system tray.
How to add Cryptkeeper to the system tray white-list in Ubuntu?
To add Cryptkeeper to the system tray white-list in Ubuntu, run the appropriate commands to include it in the approved programs that can dock on the system tray.
What are the benefits of using Cryptkeeper for encryption in Ubuntu?
Using Cryptkeeper for encryption in Ubuntu provides a user-friendly GUI interface, making it especially useful for those who are new to Ubuntu and prefer not to use the command line.
Is EncFS a reliable tool for encrypting directories in Ubuntu 12.10?
EncFS is a reliable tool for encrypting directories in Ubuntu 12.10 as it utilizes the FUSE library and Linux kernel modules to provide a secure filesystem without requiring special permissions.
How can beginners easily encrypt folders in Ubuntu using Cryptkeeper?
Beginners can easily encrypt folders in Ubuntu using Cryptkeeper by installing the program and following the simple GUI interface without the need for complex command line instructions.
What keyboard shortcut can be used to open the terminal in Ubuntu?
To open the terminal in Ubuntu, press Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard, which will launch the terminal window for you to run commands and perform various tasks.
