http://linuxexchange.org/questions/227/encrypting-file-or-all-data-on-hard-drive<p>I wish to encrypt certain files or even better all data files that I create and download to my Ubuntu laptop in order to protect them from unauthorized users. What are my options? What are problems to watch out for? Is there any program that will encrypt/decrypt everything going in and out of specific directories on the hard disk transparently?</p>enWed, 20 Apr 2011 13:58:18 -0400http://linuxexchange.org/questions/227/encrypting-file-or-all-data-on-hard-drive#2437<p>Please accept an answer so the question/answer can be finished. Or provide more details so we can help.</p>rfelsburgWed, 20 Apr 2011 13:58:18 -0400http://linuxexchange.org/questions/227/encrypting-file-or-all-data-on-hard-drive#2437http://linuxexchange.org/questions/227/encrypting-file-or-all-data-on-hard-drive/231<p>Well to encrypt a single file, you can use gpg:</p> <pre><code>$ gpg -c filename </code></pre> <p>It should then prompt for a passphrase or password for it. Though, to encrypt entire directories, I think you may have to compress it first.</p> <p>The quickest way I can think of that'll encrypt files as you place them in a directory is writing a script that is constantly waiting for new files to be placed in said directory, and it then encrypts it and continues to wait for more. But that method would probably be pretty process heavy for a simple directory that encrypts files as they're placed in.</p>JubTue, 04 May 2010 02:50:49 -0400http://linuxexchange.org/questions/227/encrypting-file-or-all-data-on-hard-drive/231