ECryptfs
Encyclopedia
eCryptfs is a POSIX
-compliant encrypted filesystem that has been part of the mainline Linux Kernel
since version 2.6.19. The eCryptfs package has been included in Ubuntu
since version 9.04. It is a form of disk encryption software
similar to Microsoft's Encrypting File System
and Apple's FileVault
.
Unlike other Linux encryption solutions such as dm-crypt
, eCryptfs uses Filesystem-level encryption
instead of full disk encryption
. Fileystem encryption has certain advantages and disadvantages over block-level encryption.
eCryptfs is derived from Erez Zadok's Cryptfs.
POSIX
POSIX , an acronym for "Portable Operating System Interface", is a family of standards specified by the IEEE for maintaining compatibility between operating systems...
-compliant encrypted filesystem that has been part of the mainline Linux Kernel
Linux kernel
The Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
since version 2.6.19. The eCryptfs package has been included in Ubuntu
Ubuntu (operating system)
Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
since version 9.04. It is a form of disk encryption software
Disk encryption software
To protect confidentiality of the data stored on a computer disk a computer security technique called disk encryption is used. This article discusses software that is used to implement the technique...
similar to Microsoft's Encrypting File System
Encrypting File System
The Encrypting File System on Microsoft Windows is a feature introduced in version 3.0 of NTFS that provides filesystem-level encryption...
and Apple's FileVault
FileVault
FileVault is a system which encrypts files on a Macintosh computer. It can be found in the Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" operating system and later....
.
Unlike other Linux encryption solutions such as dm-crypt
Dm-crypt
dm-crypt is a transparent disk encryption subsystem in Linux kernel versions 2.6 and later and in DragonFly BSD. It is part of the device mapper infrastructure, and uses cryptographic routines from the kernel's Crypto API...
, eCryptfs uses Filesystem-level encryption
Filesystem-level encryption
Filesystem-level encryption, often called file or folder encryption, is a form of disk encryption where individual files or directories are encrypted by the file system itself...
instead of full disk encryption
Full disk encryption
Disk encryption uses disk encryption software or hardware to encrypt every bit of data that goes on a disk or disk volume. Disk encryption prevents unauthorized access to data storage. The term "full disk encryption" is often used to signify that everything on a disk is encrypted, including the...
. Fileystem encryption has certain advantages and disadvantages over block-level encryption.
eCryptfs is derived from Erez Zadok's Cryptfs.
See also
- Disk encryptionDisk encryptionDisk encryption is a special case of data at rest protection when the storage media is a sector-addressable device . This article presents cryptographic aspects of the problem...
- Full disk encryptionFull disk encryptionDisk encryption uses disk encryption software or hardware to encrypt every bit of data that goes on a disk or disk volume. Disk encryption prevents unauthorized access to data storage. The term "full disk encryption" is often used to signify that everything on a disk is encrypted, including the...
- Comparison of disk encryption softwareComparison of disk encryption software-Background information:-Operating systems:-Features:* Hidden containers: Whether hidden containers can be created for deniable encryption...
- Disk encryption softwareDisk encryption softwareTo protect confidentiality of the data stored on a computer disk a computer security technique called disk encryption is used. This article discusses software that is used to implement the technique...