How to Use VeraCrypt on Linux:

VeraCrypt is a cross-platform encryption tool that works on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It allows you to encrypt files, create secure containers, and encrypt entire drives. This guide walks you through installing, creating, mounting, and using VeraCrypt on Linux.

Install VeraCrypt on Linux

Using APT (Debian/Ubuntu)

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:unit193/encryption
sudo apt update
sudo apt install veracrypt

Using DNF (Fedora)

sudo dnf install veracrypt

Using Pacman (Arch Linux/Manjaro)

sudo pacman -S veracrypt

Using Flatpak (Universal Method)

flatpak install flathub com.veracrypt.VeraCrypt

To run it via Flatpak:

flatpak run com.veracrypt.VeraCrypt

Create a New Encrypted Volume

Using GUI

Open VeraCrypt from your applications menu.
Click "Create Volume" and select:
- Create an encrypted file container (recommended for storing files)
- Encrypt a non-system partition (for encrypting a USB drive or external disk)
Choose encryption settings (AES, SHA-512 by default).
Set a strong password and format the volume.

Using CLI (Command Line Interface)

Create a 2GB encrypted file container:
```
veracrypt -t -c
```
Follow the prompts to set encryption, hash, and password.
Format the container:
```
mkfs.ext4 /path/to/container
```

Mount and Access Encrypted Volumes

Using GUI

Select an available slot in VeraCrypt.
Click "Select File" or "Select Device".
Enter your password and click "Mount".
The volume appears under /media/veracryptX.

Using CLI (Command Line Interface)

Mount a VeraCrypt volume:

sudo veracrypt /path/to/container /mnt/veracrypt

Unmount the volume:
```
sudo veracrypt -d /mnt/veracrypt
```

Encrypt a USB Drive or External Disk

Using GUI

Click "Create Volume" → "Encrypt a non-system partition".
Select the USB drive or external disk.
Choose encryption settings, format, and set password.

Using CLI (Command Line Interface)

Encrypt the USB drive (Warning: This will erase data!):
```
sudo veracrypt -t -c /dev/sdX
```
Mount the encrypted USB:
```
sudo veracrypt /dev/sdX /mnt/usb
```

Automating VeraCrypt Mounting on Boot

To auto-mount a VeraCrypt volume on boot:

Add this line to /etc/fstab:

/path/to/container /mnt/veracrypt vfat defaults 0 2

Use a script:

echo "your_password" | sudo veracrypt --text --password=- /path/to/container /mnt/veracrypt

Conclusion

VeraCrypt is a powerful, easy-to-use encryption tool for Linux. Whether you're encrypting folders, USB drives, or entire partitions, VeraCrypt ensures your data stays secure and private.