Re: Editing and storing encrypted files
On Wed, Sep 06, 2000 at 10:22:44PM +0200, Wouter Hanegraaff wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have some files that I would like to store encrypted. Of course I can
> just type them in, encrypt them using gpg and delete the original, but
> that seems to be a bit of a kludge. It would mean the file is at some
> time readable unencrypted (after saving in the editor), and forgetting
> to turn off the backup file option in the editor when changing the file.
Correct.
> There must be better solutions, but I can't seem to find them. What I
> would like to have is an editor that has built-in encryption or gpg
> integration, and the option not to store any non-encrypted data on disk
> or on the clipboard.
>
> Is something like this available?
Have you considered using an encrypted filesystem? The advantage to this is
that the blocks are encrypted on the filesystem then decrypted on the fly.
>From the TCFS FAQ:
"TCFS is a Transparent Cryptographic File System that is a suitable solution
to the problem of privacy for distributed file system. By a deeper integration
between the encryption service and the file system, it results in a complete
transparency of use to the user applications. Files are stored in encrypted
form and are decrypted before they are read. The encryption/decryption
process takes place on the client machine and thus the encryption/decryption
key never travels on the network."
Since the encryption/decryption is done on the fly for the person holding
the key for the encrypted mount, privacy would be enhanced. Basically TCFS
and similar encrypted filesystems are NFS-like, so as long as the directory
from which you are editing the file within should be encrypted.
The downside to this is that drive access will be considerably slower.
--
--Brad
============================================================================
Bradley M. Alexander, CISSP | Co-Chairman,
Beowulf System Admin/Security Specialist | NoVALUG/DCLUG Security SIG
Winstar Telecom | balexander@winstar.com
(703) 889-1049 | storm@tux.org
============================================================================
I have a firm grasp on reality. Now I can strangle it.
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