Encrypt External Hard Drive for Windows and Linux Access

encryptionhard drivelinuxwindowswindows 7

  • I've used NTFS+Bitlocker in the past for USB external hard drives, and it's easy to use in read+write on Windows.

    But it's less easy to use on Linux: NTFS read+write requires ntfs-3g (which some people don't consider 100% reliable?) and Bitlocker on Linux read+write access requires Dislocker (which has less than 1000 stars on Github so it might not be the most secure/tested system available; also there are requirements to have Dislocker in full read+write I'm not sure to meet).

  • I could use an encrypted ext4 partition on the USB external hard drive, but then it would be complicated to use on Windows (maybe impossible!).

Question: is there an encryption system, supported out-of-the-box on Windows + Ubuntu, that would allow an external USB hard drive to be read+written easily on Windows and Ubuntu?

Of course, I want the USB external hard drive to be useless for someone who would steal it, without having the key.

Best Answer

Use VeraCrypt container. Make NTFS or exFAT the file system on the drive and then a container with one of these also.

Next to container you can put a text file with your address so if you would lose the drive, someone finding it could return it to you. Second, you can put Windows and Linux VeraCrypt binaries next to container so attaching the drive always you will be able to open the container.

So these above will fulfill your need to open container on both Windows and Ubuntu.

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