Introduction to LUKS

You can create other encrypted volumes using LUKS to encrypt, for example, another USB stick or an external hard disk. LUKS is the standard for disk encryption in Linux.

• The Disks utility allows you to create encrypted volumes.

• The GNOME desktop allows you to open encrypted volumes.

Comparison between LUKS and VeraCrypt

You can also open VeraCrypt encrypted volumes in Tails. VeraCrypt is a disk encryption tool for Windows, macOS, and Linux. See our documentation about VeraCrypt.

We recommend that you use:

• VeraCrypt to share encrypted files across different operating systems.

• LUKS to encrypt files for Tails and Linux.

1. See the difference between file containers and partitions.

2. Plausible deniability: in some cases (for example, with VeraCrypt hidden volumes), it is impossible for an adversary to technically prove the existence of an encrypted volume.

   Still, deniable encryption might not protect you if you are forced to reveal the existence of the encrypted volume. See VeraCrypt: Plausible Deniability.

Creating an encrypted partition

Choose Applications ▸ Utilities ▸ Disks to open the Disks utility.

Identifying your external storage device

The Disks utility lists all the current storage devices on the left side of the screen.

1. Plug in the external storage device that you want to use.

2. A new device appears in the list of storage devices. Click on it.

   

3. Check that the description of the device on the right side of the screen corresponds to your device: its brand, its size, etc.

Formatting the device

1. Click on the button in the title bar and choose Format Disk to erase all the existing partitions on the device.

2. In the Format Disk dialog:

   • If you want to overwrite all data on the device, choose Overwrite existing data with zeroes in the Erase menu.

     Overwriting existing data does not erase all data on flash memories, such as USB sticks and SSDs (Solid-State Drives).

     See the limitations of file deletion.

   • Choose Compatible with all systems and devices (MBR/DOS) in the Partitioning menu.

3. Click Format.

4. In the confirmation dialog, make sure that the device is correct.

5. Click Format.

Creating a new encrypted partition

Now the schema of the partitions in the middle of the screen shows an empty device:

1. Click on the button to create a new partition on the device.

2. Configure the various settings of your new partition in the partition creation assistant:

   • In the Create Partition screen:

     • Partition Size: you can create a partition on the whole device or only on part of it.

       In the example below, we are creating a partition of 4.0 GB on a device of 8.1 GB.

   • In the Format Volume dialog:

     • Volume Name

       You can give a name to the partition. This name remains invisible until the partition is open but can help you to identify it during use.

     • Erase

       You can choose to overwrite existing data on the partition.

       Overwriting existing data does not erase all data on flash memories, such as USB sticks and SSDs (Solid-State Drives).

       See the limitations of file deletion.

     • Type

       Choose Internal disk for use with Linux systems only (Ext4) and Password protect volume (LUKS).

   • In the Set Password screen:

     • Password: type a passphrase for the encrypted partition and repeat it to confirm.

       We recommend choosing a long passphrase made of 5 to 7 random words. Learn about the maths behind memorizable and secure passphrases.

       It is impossible to recover your passphrase if you forget it!

       To help you remember your passphrase, you can write it on a piece of paper, store it in your wallet for a few days, and destroy it once you know it well.

     Then click Create.

   • Creating the partition takes from a few seconds to a few minutes. After that, the new encrypted partition appears in the volumes on the device:

     

   • If you want to create another partition in the free space on the device, click on the free space and then click on the button again.

Using the new partition

You can open this new partition from the sidebar of the file browser with the name you gave it.

After opening the partition with the file browser, you can also access it from the Places menu.

Opening an existing encrypted partition

When you plug in a device that has an encrypted partition, Tails offers to unlock the encryption automatically.

1. Plug in the external storage device that has the encrypted partition.

2. A dialog appears, asking for the passphrase to unlock the partition.

   

3. Enter the passphrase of the partition in the password prompt and click Unlock.

   If you turn on the option Remember Password, Tails remembers the passphrase of this partition only until you shut down. The passphrase is not stored in your Persistent Storage.

4. After unlocking, you can access the content of the partition from either:

   • The Places menu
   • The sidebar of the Files browser

After you finished using the partition, click on the button next to the partition in the sidebar of the Files browser to eject the partition safety and lock again the encryption.

Storing sensitive documents

Such encrypted volumes are not hidden. An attacker in possession of the device can know that there is an encrypted volume on it. Take into consideration that you can be forced or tricked to give out its passphrase.

Opening encrypted volumes from other operating systems

It is possible to open such encrypted volumes from other operating systems. But, doing so might compromise the security provided by Tails.

For example, image thumbnails might be created and saved by the other operating system. Or, the contents of files might be indexed by the other operating system.

Changing the passphrase of an existing encrypted partition

1. Choose Applications ▸ Utilities ▸ Disks to open the Disks utility.

2. Plug in the external storage device that contains the encrypted partition for which you want to change the passphrase.

3. The device appears in the list of storage devices. Click on it.

   

4. Check that the description of the device on the right side of the screen corresponds to your device: its brand, its size, etc.

5. Click on the partition displaying a in the bottom-right corner.

6. Click on the button and choose Change Passphrase in the shortcut menu.