Recover ecryptfs Data
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 04/20/2009 - 08:25.
Hi,
To backup my data I did
rsync -va /home/user /mnt/backups/
But I wasn't aware of the linked .ecryptfs directory pointing to somewhere in the /usr/ filesystem.
After that I installed my system new.
then I copied back the user folder mainly containing .Private and a broken .ecryptfs link.
whatever I tried now - I am not able to mount and decrypt my data.
1. does anybody know a scenario to get my data back?
shortly: I know my password, but lost all files in .ecryptfs.
2. How do I get aware what cipher was being used to encrypt?
Thanks for any help!
mma dot mts_consult at ymail
It happens to me too ... I
It happens to me too ...
I made a big mistake: I erased my / but I forgot my drive was encrypted since the Jaunty's Alpha 3.
(the key was in the /var/lib/ecryptfs/user)
I didn't write the key down because I didn't see it. That's why I forget my drive was encrypted.
I re-installed Ubuntu 9.04 with on
- ext4; sda5 /
- ext3; sda3 /home
I can't access to my folders, because of I haven't got the key, so the access.
I created a new user "alex2" with the same password to be able to use my computer. The encrypted folder's user's name is "alex".
I use photorec (I'm not sure of the manner I did), trying to rescue some deleted files, and maybe the key.
Now I have 1486 folders, each with 500files inside. All with crazies names; for examples "f94139568.txt".
How can I do to find my Key, and rescue my last 300photos (trip in Wien) which are not saved on my second drive ?
I'll try Ubuntu Rescue Remix, but if you have an another solution, please, please... tell me !
I've 300photos of my last trip in April in Wien ... There are not lost, but encrypted ... I would like to rescue my encrypt file.
alexandre.swit at gmail.com
Xun
You can do as follows - (be
You can do as follows - (be careful to select the choices)
1) sudo mount -t ecryptfs /home/USER/ENCRYPTED_DIR /home/USER/ENCRYPTED_DIR
2) Select the options carefully
3) You should get your data back :)
Good luck.
- Archan
I just did the same thing.
I just did the same thing. Why in god's name is the encrypted key not saved in /home?!?!?!?
Having the cypher in a different directory (that is quite often on a seperate partition) is the stupidest, most idiotic idea I have EVER heard.
I have my /home partition on a separate partition in order to PREVENT data loss, and NOW I find out the f*cking encryption key is not even on it?!? Unless I am very much mistaken (which I pray to god I am), that means I just lost EVERY F*CKING FILE that was not backed up!!!
If this is the case, I am NEVER, EVER, EVER using this encryption system again, or advising anyone else to use it. That is the dumbest place they could ever have thought of to put it.
Every person who does a reinstall to recover a system will automatically lose access to every encrypted file on their entire hard drive.
I haven't used ecryptfs
I haven't used ecryptfs myself yet, but I have done research on it in preparation for using it. But I believe that these questions can be answered here:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ecryptfs
When you originally ran ecryptfs-setup-private, you were asked for two things. Your Login Password, and a file encryption key. The way I understand it, as long as you have the files themselves and the file encryption key, you're golden.
Just reinstall ecryptfs-utils and Google for a step-by-step recovery guide.