Windows-like full system encryption on Ubuntu?

Question

I switched my OS from Windows to Ubuntu. On my Windows system I had my whole laptop encrypted so no one could access anything without the correct password. Now I have Ubuntu and TrueCrypt won't let me encrypt my whole system. I considered encrypting my whole C drive, but that wouldn't work, would it?

What are the Linux alternatives for full system encryption like the Windows version of TrueCrypt has to offer?

Answer 1

If you truly want full disk encryption, you will need to install from the Ubuntu Server or Ubuntu Alternate installer. In the partitioning section, you can select full disk encryption, using LVM, dmcrypt, and LUKS.

However, the Ubuntu Desktop graphical installer supports total encryption of your entire home directory by clicking a single checkbox. When you select your username and password, you'll have an option to "require a password to login and access your home directory contents." This is a very easy, seamless approach to cryptographically protecting the private data you store in your home directory.

Answer 2

LUKS is probably what you're looking for. From memory, Oneiric can set this up for you during the installation process.

Answer 3

First - You should have separate unencrypted boot partition because linux, or more precisely grub or other bootloader cannot boot from encrypted partition.
Second - it's not practical or absolutely necessary to encrypt whole drive. You should set up separate partition for /home directory and encrypt only that partition.

To encrypt your /home directory you could use ecryptfs-migrate-home command from eCryptfs project.

Guide on how to do use it

If you really need for full system encryption on linux - have you tried searching? Also it is much harder to set up full sytem encryption after installation.