Optional full-disc encryption
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I think the question really is if this is the scope of Cloudron or if it is sufficient to be able to use the built-in default FDE from ubuntu server. Choosing the latter already shows heavy dependency on server vendor, since a quick search for how one would do this with only DigitalOcean reveals a host of issues and seemingly half-hearted solutions.
If one installs Ubuntu on a hardware server in say the office, then the FDE coming with Ubuntu during the installation process works well and already solves this issue. This is way before Cloudron comes to the party as far as I can tell. -
It would be an additional layer of protection for GDPR compliance expectations — to protect somewhat further against any attack vector directly from a host via a bad-actor or social-engineering.
(If it can happen to Twitter, I'm sure it's more common than perviously suspected, and as software systems are hardened and the vectors decreasing, the next best alternative target, as we have seen is simply bribery, phishing or manipulation for privileged access)
Respecting that this may mean re-entering the key on each reboot - but having a Cloudron approved and standardised method for this would be an additional reassurance when using any host that doesn't offer this by default, or in preferring to doing it in a way so the host could possibly not have a copy of the key to unlock.
I realise this isn't for everyone, so should be opt-in - but having used FileVault on Mac without issue for a decade, and a good multi-location backup strategy with regular restoration testing throughout the community, I think any concerns would be outweighed but the advantages of peace of mind for admins, users, audiences and authorities.
@marcusquinn This can be done in linux and can be done with or without Cloudron. Luks can be enabled on any server you own running any modern linux flavor. You enable it during server install.
Essentially what I mean is - it cannot encrypt the drive completely after installing linux. While installing Ubuntu server, enable disk encryption via the disk menu, then install ubuntu as normal. Reboot, install cloudron - boom full disc encrytion.
If cloudron and ubuntu are already installed you can encrypt the home folder with Luks but not the disk.
Good luck
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I think the question really is if this is the scope of Cloudron or if it is sufficient to be able to use the built-in default FDE from ubuntu server. Choosing the latter already shows heavy dependency on server vendor, since a quick search for how one would do this with only DigitalOcean reveals a host of issues and seemingly half-hearted solutions.
If one installs Ubuntu on a hardware server in say the office, then the FDE coming with Ubuntu during the installation process works well and already solves this issue. This is way before Cloudron comes to the party as far as I can tell.@nebulon I do not believe this is a cloudron related question as full-disk encryption is not possible to do after installing ubuntu, but only during install.
Home folder encryption IS possible though
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@nebulon On the scope question, do you view the Cloudron server as an appliance? If so, FDE during setup my be good, or an optional switch or something.
@will I can see it becoming so - especially if my suggestion here gets traction: https://forum.cloudron.io/topic/2952/terraform-new-cloudron-vps-instances
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@nebulon I do not believe this is a cloudron related question as full-disk encryption is not possible to do after installing ubuntu, but only during install.
Home folder encryption IS possible though
@murgero Yeah - but I can see that becoming something Cloudron could do too if terraforming new instances were added: https://forum.cloudron.io/topic/2952/terraform-new-cloudron-vps-instances
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@marcusquinn This can be done in linux and can be done with or without Cloudron. Luks can be enabled on any server you own running any modern linux flavor. You enable it during server install.
Essentially what I mean is - it cannot encrypt the drive completely after installing linux. While installing Ubuntu server, enable disk encryption via the disk menu, then install ubuntu as normal. Reboot, install cloudron - boom full disc encrytion.
If cloudron and ubuntu are already installed you can encrypt the home folder with Luks but not the disk.
Good luck
@murgero said in Optional full-disc encryption:
@marcusquinn This can be done in linux and can be done with or without Cloudron. Lux can be enabled on any server you own running any modern linux flavor. You enable it during server install.
Essentially what I mean is - it cannot encrypt the drive completely after installing linux. While installing Ubuntu server, enable disk encryption via the disk menu, then install ubuntu as normal. Reboot, install cloudron - boom full disc encrytion.
If cloudron and ubuntu are already installed you can encrypt the home folder with lux but not the disk.
Good luck
I was wandering was "lux" was, until I realized you probably meant Luks, right?
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@murgero said in Optional full-disc encryption:
@marcusquinn This can be done in linux and can be done with or without Cloudron. Lux can be enabled on any server you own running any modern linux flavor. You enable it during server install.
Essentially what I mean is - it cannot encrypt the drive completely after installing linux. While installing Ubuntu server, enable disk encryption via the disk menu, then install ubuntu as normal. Reboot, install cloudron - boom full disc encrytion.
If cloudron and ubuntu are already installed you can encrypt the home folder with lux but not the disk.
Good luck
I was wandering was "lux" was, until I realized you probably meant Luks, right?
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@murgero Yeah - but I can see that becoming something Cloudron could do too if terraforming new instances were added: https://forum.cloudron.io/topic/2952/terraform-new-cloudron-vps-instances
@marcusquinn said in Optional full-disc encryption:
@murgero Yeah - but I can see that becoming something Cloudron could do too if terraforming new instances were added: https://forum.cloudron.io/topic/2952/terraform-new-cloudron-vps-instances
You misunderstand - There is no possible way to fully encrypt EXT3/4 partitions AFTER linux is installed. AFAIK - there is no work around.
What you are asking for can only be done during OS install.
The only solution I can see here is "Home Folder Encryption" which would be enough here as Cloudron stores most of it's data in it's home folder right @girish ?
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@murgero said in Optional full-disc encryption:
@marcusquinn This can be done in linux and can be done with or without Cloudron. Lux can be enabled on any server you own running any modern linux flavor. You enable it during server install.
Essentially what I mean is - it cannot encrypt the drive completely after installing linux. While installing Ubuntu server, enable disk encryption via the disk menu, then install ubuntu as normal. Reboot, install cloudron - boom full disc encrytion.
If cloudron and ubuntu are already installed you can encrypt the home folder with lux but not the disk.
Good luck
I was wandering was "lux" was, until I realized you probably meant Luks, right?
@necrevistonnezr Not even sure I remember now - PBKAC
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@marcusquinn said in Optional full-disc encryption:
@murgero Yeah - but I can see that becoming something Cloudron could do too if terraforming new instances were added: https://forum.cloudron.io/topic/2952/terraform-new-cloudron-vps-instances
You misunderstand - There is no possible way to fully encrypt EXT3/4 partitions AFTER linux is installed. AFAIK - there is no work around.
What you are asking for can only be done during OS install.
The only solution I can see here is "Home Folder Encryption" which would be enough here as Cloudron stores most of it's data in it's home folder right @girish ?
@murgero Yeah, makes sense.
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