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Encryption: Protect Your Data

Encryption scrambles data. Only authorized users can read it.

Here's the thing: Encryption protects sensitive data. Use it when needed.

What Encryption Does​

Encryption protects:

  • Data at rest (on disk)
  • Data in transit (over network)
  • Sensitive information

My take: Encryption is like a safe. Data is locked. Only key holders can access.

Disk Encryption (LUKS)​

Create Encrypted Partition​

# Create encrypted partition
sudo cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sda1

# Open encrypted partition
sudo cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sda1 encrypted_data

# Create filesystem
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/encrypted_data

# Mount
sudo mount /dev/mapper/encrypted_data /mnt/encrypted

My take: LUKS encrypts entire partitions. Full disk encryption.

Manage Keys​

# Add key
sudo cryptsetup luksAddKey /dev/sda1

# Remove key
sudo cryptsetup luksRemoveKey /dev/sda1

My take: LUKS supports multiple keys. Add backup keys.

File Encryption (GPG)​

Encrypt File​

# Encrypt
gpg -c file.txt                    # Encrypt with password

# Decrypt
gpg file.txt.gpg                   # Decrypt

My take: GPG encrypts individual files. Use it for sensitive files.

When to Use Encryption​

Use when:

  • Sensitive data
  • Compliance requirements
  • Data breaches are costly
  • Protecting user data

Don't use when:

  • Public data
  • Performance critical
  • Don't need protection

My take: Use encryption when you need it. It adds overhead. But protects data.

Common Mistakes (I've Made These)​

  1. Losing keys: Encrypted data is useless without keys. Backup keys.

  2. Not testing recovery: Test decryption. Make sure you can recover.

  3. Performance impact: Encryption adds overhead. Consider performance.

  4. Forgetting passwords: Encrypted data is lost without password. Remember it.

  5. Not encrypting backups: Backups should be encrypted too. Don't forget.

Real-World Examples​

Encrypt Disk​

# Format
sudo cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdb1

# Open
sudo cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sdb1 encrypted

# Use
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/encrypted
sudo mount /dev/mapper/encrypted /mnt/secure

Encrypt File​

gpg -c secret.txt
rm secret.txt                      # Remove unencrypted

What's Next?​

Now that you understand encryption, you can protect data. Or learn about Audit Logging to monitor activity.

Personal note: Encryption seemed complex at first. Then I used it. Now I encrypt sensitive data. It's worth it. Protect what matters.