Home Folder Encryption Question

[residualbit]

I just have a quick question about the 'Encrypt Home Folder' option you are given at install.

First, I did choose this (my home folder is encrypted.) Here's my question. If I want to back up some files that are in my home folder (some things in Downloads, Documents, etc.) to a thumb drive or external drive, do I need to do anything special to ensure that they can be read on another computer (possible running Windows)?

[kevdog]

Quick Answer: No you do not.

Long Answer: When the volume is mounted at startup, it is decrypted, when its unmounted its encrypted. It basically prevents anyone else taking out your hard-drive and mounting it on a remote file system to access your files.

[Marcinnn]

Hi,

How can I switch off this encryption in Ubuntu 11.10?

[kevdog]

The partition when its made is not encrypted by default. You have to choose encryption.