File or folder encryption can be achieved through a variety of tools in Linux. 1. Encrypt the folder with zip: zip -r -P password to package the original folder, and it is safer to enter the password interactively; 2. Encrypt a single file with gpg: generate an encrypted file with gpg -c file name, and decryption requires gpg -o original file-d to encrypt the file; 3. Encrypt the entire directory by encrypting: After installation, create an encrypted mount point, and automatically encrypt the write content after setting the password. The file is unreadable after uninstallation; 4. Other tools such as 7z and VeraCrypt are suitable for packaging encryption and virtual encryption disk scenarios respectively. The right approach can be selected based on security, long-term use and cross-platform needs.

In Linux systems, setting passwords for a single file or folder is not a native support feature of the system, but similar effects can be achieved through encryption tools or compressed packages. The most common method is to encrypt files using gpg , zip , or 7z , or encrypt the entire directory with ecryptfs . Here are several practical methods.

Use zip to encrypt the folder

If you just want to simply encrypt a folder, zip is one of the most convenient options.

• Install the zip tool (if not installed):

  

   sudo apt install zip

• Package and set password:

   zip -r -P yourpassword foldername.zip foldername/

The zip file generated in this way requires a password to be entered when decompressing. Note: Passwords will be exposed to command history, be careful when using them.

Tips: You can omit the -P yourpassword parameter to allow the system to enter password interactively, which is more secure.

Encrypt a single file using gpg

If you need higher security, you can use gpg to AES encryption of files.

• Encrypted files:

   gpg -c filename

After execution, a .gpg file will be generated. The original file will not be deleted automatically and needs to be cleaned manually.

• Decrypt the file:

   gpg -o filename -d filename.gpg

This method has high encryption strength and is suitable for processing sensitive documents.

Encrypt the entire directory using evictfs

If you need to encrypt a folder for a long time (such as the user's private data directory), you can use ecryptfs .

• Install ecryptfs:

   sudo apt install eviptfs-utils

• Create an encrypted directory and mount it:

   mkdir ~/secure
  mount -t eviptfs ~/secure ~/secure

Follow the prompts to set password and encryption options, and then all files written to the directory will be automatically encrypted.

Note: The file will become garbled after uninstalling, remember to mount it before accessing.

Other methods: Use 7z or VeraCrypt

• 7z supports AES-256 encryption, suitable for scenarios where packaging and encryption are integrated.
• VeraCrypt is a powerful encryption disk tool suitable for users who need virtual encryption disks.

Basically these are the methods. Each method has different applicable scenarios. When choosing, it can be determined based on factors such as whether long-term encryption is required and whether cross-platform use is required.

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