Encryption with VeraCrypt
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© Lead Image © bowie15, 123RF.com
The VeraCrypt encryption software comes with a handy graphical interface, and the ability to hide a container in an encrypted volume adds a unique professional feature: plausibly deniable encryption.
When the TrueCrypt developers dissuaded people from further use of its software with an ominous security warning [1], many users were confused and concerned about their privacy, especially in the Windows camp, where TrueCrypt was a popular open source encryption solution (see the "TrueCrypt" box).
In the meantime, TrueCrypt fork VeraCrypt [2], which dates back to 2013, has inherited its predecessor's followers and introduced Linux support in 2014. Given that the Linux kernel already ciphers directories or entire partitions, why would Linux users want to embrace a program with a black spot in its history? VeraCrypt provides some solid reasons for doing so.
Plausible Reasons
One strong motive for the use of VeraCrypt is its guaranteed "plausibly deniable encryption": The encrypted container can embed a hidden inner container (Figure 1). Should you ever be forced to reveal your encryption password, you could do so for the outer container only (see the box "Plausible Deniability").
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