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Discussion => Security => Topic started by: Chopperos on July 23, 2012, 11:42 am

Title: How do I backup Truecrypt keys? (MAC OS)
Post by: Chopperos on July 23, 2012, 11:42 am
I've made backups of my Truecrypt containers but how can I copy the keys so that if my HD dies, I can still access the containers but what about the keys?

Any pointers anyone?

thanks :)
Title: Re: How do I backup Truecrypt keys? (MAC OS)
Post by: ccxv01 on July 23, 2012, 03:36 pm
I've made backups of my Truecrypt containers but how can I copy the keys so that if my HD dies, I can still access the containers but what about the keys?

Any pointers anyone?

thanks :)

Sorry, i don't quite know what you mean about 'keys'?

When you mount a TrueCrypt container, you have to provide your password and/or keyfiles.

If you're talking about the password, well, you already know how to back that up. If you're talking about the keyfiles, simply copy and paste them to another hard drive.

Is that what you meant?
Title: Re: How do I backup Truecrypt keys? (MAC OS)
Post by: digitbh on July 23, 2012, 07:05 pm
You would back them up like any other file you have on your computer. Put them on flash drives, other HDDs, on a cloud server. I personally use dropbox for a lot of things.

I'm not sure how this is complicated?
Title: Re: How do I backup Truecrypt keys? (MAC OS)
Post by: Chopperos on July 24, 2012, 11:46 am
Ah ok.

I didnt know if Truecrypt was like GPG and had keys hidden in a folder somewhere. 

I didnt want my Hard drive to get corrupted lose my keys for it.   But if its only password protected then thats ok.

thanks guys.
Title: Re: How do I backup Truecrypt keys? (MAC OS)
Post by: oscarzululondon on July 24, 2012, 12:01 pm
I hope you're just using TrueCrypt for a small container and not to encrypt the entire Mac harddrive because that's completely unnecessary, Mac OS X already has something better built in called FileVault.

System Preferences --> Security & Privacy --> FileVault --> Turn FileVault On.

Choose password and it encrypts your entire hard drive, and doesn't do stupid things that TrueCrypt does such as leaving your encryption password on the clipboard meaning it can be stolen by someone determined enough.

It gives you nice recovery options too.
Title: Re: How do I backup Truecrypt keys? (MAC OS)
Post by: ccxv01 on July 24, 2012, 04:28 pm
Choose password and it encrypts your entire hard drive, and doesn't do stupid things that TrueCrypt does such as leaving your encryption password on the clipboard meaning it can be stolen by someone determined enough.

What are you talking about?

Why would your password be on the clipboard?
Title: Re: How do I backup Truecrypt keys? (MAC OS)
Post by: oscarzululondon on July 24, 2012, 04:47 pm
What are you talking about?

Why would your password be on the clipboard?

It's possible to get someones TrueCrypt container password whilst the container is mounted. You need to be connected to the same network as them, and have already compromised their computer, and their computer has to be booted and the Truecrypt container has to be mounted. As soon as the computer goes off the attack doesn't work, but it may be too late by then because someone could already have your password and could just come and take the computer.

This is why I always advocate using FDE as well as using a hidden container inside that.