Encrypt your external drive with LUKS
Linux · ext4 · WD Elements or similar USB drive · no spare storage required
What this is
LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) encrypts an entire partition at the block level. Once locked, the drive looks like random noise to anyone without your passphrase — no files, no structure, nothing.
This is the right tool when you’re traveling with a backup drive and need genuine at-rest protection.
This guide assumes your data is already backed up somewhere safe before you start. The format step is irreversible.
Before you start
1. Back up everything on the drive
Check how much data you have, then rsync it to your internal drive or another external. Your home directory on Linux Mint is eCryptfs encrypted by default — files there are safe at rest.
bash
# Check drive usage
du -sh /media/devmon/sda1-usb-WD_Elements_25A3/ --exclude=timeshift
# Back up to internal drive
rsync -av --progress /media/devmon/sda1-usb-WD_Elements_25A3/ ~/Desktop/WD_Full_Backup/ 2>&1 | tee ~/Desktop/rsync_log.txt2. Open your password manager
Enpass, KeePassXC, Bitwarden — have it open and ready. You’ll create a new entry for the LUKS passphrase the moment you set it.
If you lose this passphrase, the drive is permanently unreadable.
3. Stop udisks2 and unmount
The automounter and journal daemon will prevent formatting even after unmounting normally. Stop them first.
bash
sudo systemctl stop udisks2
sudo umount -l /dev/sda1Format and encrypt
Point of no return. The next command permanently destroys all data on the partition. Your backup must be confirmed complete before running it.
bash
# Format with LUKS — type YES in capitals when prompted
sudo cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sda1Type your passphrase twice. Save it to your password manager immediately.
Then open the encrypted partition, create a filesystem inside it, and mount it.
bash
# Open, format filesystem, and mount
sudo cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sda1 wdencrypted
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/wdencrypted
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/wdencrypted
sudo mount /dev/mapper/wdencrypted /mnt/wdencrypted
sudo chown $USER:$USER /mnt/wdencryptedRestore your data
bash
# Copy backup onto encrypted drive
rsync -av --progress ~/Desktop/WD_Full_Backup/ /mnt/wdencrypted/ 2>&1 | tee ~/Desktop/restore_log.txt
# Verify, then delete the staging backup
df -h /mnt/wdencrypted
rm -rf ~/Desktop/WD_Full_BackupEveryday use
Unlock and mount
bash
sudo cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sda1 wdencrypted
sudo mount /dev/mapper/wdencrypted /mnt/wdencryptedLock before unplugging
bash
sudo umount /mnt/wdencrypted
sudo cryptsetup luksClose wdencryptedRun the lock command every time before unplugging or shutting down — not just when traveling.
If any app was pointing to the old automount path (/media/devmon/sda1-usb-WD_Elements_25A3/), update those configs to use /mnt/wdencrypted/ instead.
Passphrase backup strategy
Store the passphrase in at least two places physically separate from the drive.
If the drive and the device containing your password manager are lost together, you need a third option:
A paper copy in a safe
A trusted contact
An encrypted note in a separate cloud account
There is no recovery option if the passphrase is lost. LUKS has no backdoor. No recovery key. No password reset.
Keep your passphrases safe — and separate.
How to Safely Remove Old Kernels in Linux Mint:
Tired of cluttered kernel lists eating up your precious disk space? Learn how to safely clean up old kernels using the Linux Mint terminal.
My Favorite Tips Using Linux
As a Linux enthusiast, I constantly seek ways to enhance my experience with this versatile operating system. Here are some of my favorite tips from two valuable resources: cleaning up Linux Mint and encrypting a USB stick.
The Ultimate Guide to Force a Factory Reset on Any Samsung Galaxy Phone
Is your Samsung phone frozen, locked, or stuck in a boot loop, refusing a normal factory reset? Don’t panic! This definitive guide covers all the proven methods, from simple button combos to remote wipes, to regain control of your device.
Transform Your Baofeng UV-5R into a Powerful Police Scanner A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction: In an era where staying informed is more important than ever, many people are turning to police scanners to keep track of what's happening in their local communities. A versatile and cost-effective option for this purpose is the Baofeng UV-5R radio. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the steps of programming the Baofeng UV-5R as a …
Protect Your Inbox, Support Bookstores, Read My Work
🔐 Anonymous Text & Privacy Tools
📱 Anosim – anonymous texting
Sign up for truly private messaging.
👉 Create your anonymous account →
✉️ Tuta – private email by design
I’ve switched to Tuta, the world’s most secure email service. It’s easy to use, open-source, private by design, ad‑free, and powered by 100% renewable electricity.
Now I’d like to invite you to Tuta too.
👉 Claim your free month on any yearly plan →
📚 Bookshop.org – support local bookstores
Each purchase helps independent bookstores.
📘 My Published MagCloud Issues
Browse or buy any issue below. Your purchase directly supports my writing — thank you!
1. Disruptive Fine Art – Winter 2025 Edition
Art you can carry and use
From phone cases to mouse pads, this issue turns everyday accessories into works of fine art. Bold creativity meets practical design.
👉 View Disruptive Fine Art →
2. DINOGO GO! GLOW!
A children’s poetry book from the dark side
Twelve pages about a dino named GO who lost his way. Quirky, fun, and a little mischievous.
👉 View DINOGO GO! GLOW! →
3. Escape Dog (Philososaur Comics!)
The world’s most chaotic escape artist
Belle isn’t just a bad dog — she’s a legend. Framed for “excessive tail wagging” and “unauthorized snack theft,” she busts out of the Barkwood Asylum and battles sinister nurses, rooftops, and her own destiny.
👉 View Escape Dog →
4. Philososaur – Volume 4
Class warfare with a bleach bottle
Gold isn’t just a color — it’s collateral damage. This issue turns peroxide into cultural commentary, salon foils into protest signs. The revolution will be bleached, toned, and absolutely unapologetic.
👉 View Philososaur – Volume 4 →
5. Venefica’s Enchantment: A Love Spelled in Blood
A witch who worships the humility of broken men
In a world where pride has poisoned men’s hearts, Venefica offers a different path — healing through surrender, devotion, and sacred ecstasy. Dark, seductive, and unforgettable.
👉 View Venefica’s Enchantment →
6. Reflections and Reveries: Tales of Self-Discovery and Transformation
Short stories about the intricacies of being human
Themes of personal growth, existential questions, and the transformative power of embracing life’s uncertainties. Lyrical prose with a touch of whimsy.
👉 View Reflections and Reveries →
7. Psych Victims
Everyday victimization by the “mental health” field
This project catalogues the real experiences of millions of people harmed by psychiatric systems. A necessary, eye-opening read.
👉 View Psych Victims →
🌐 My Latest Projects
Michigan Business Directory
A curated directory of family-owned, heritage-listed local services across Michigan.
No algorithms. No paid placements. Just 145+ listings of electricians, plumbers, roofers, restaurants, barbers, and more — organized by heritage (Scandinavian, Dutch, German, English) and community ties. Each business is family-owned, many are 3rd, 4th, or even 5th generation. Think of it as the anti-Yelp.
👉 Visit Michigan Business Directory →
Philososaur Archive
A free digital library of independent art, poetry, fiction, and disruptive publications.
No paywalls. No ads. No algorithms. Every book by Daniel Brummitt is free to download — from Escape Dog and Venefica’s Enchantment to Psych Victims and DINOGO GO! GLOW!. Supported entirely by Monero donations. Art that exists without permission.
👉 Visit Philososaur Archive →
Artisan Eye
Instant AI-powered art appraisals — built by an artist, for artists.
Upload any artwork. The Vision Transformer identifies style, technique, medium, period, and artist attribution. Then multi-modal AI cross-references market comparables and auction records. Get a confidence-scored appraisal with explainable factors. Free to use. Built by Daniel Brummitt — a working artist who trains every algorithm with an artist’s intuition.
👉 Visit Artisan Eye →
📚 Daniel Brummitt Publishing – Where to Find My Books
My books are available through independent retailers worldwide. Below are direct links to verified listings.
Reflections and Reveries: Tales of Self-Discovery and Transformation
A collection of short stories about personal growth, existential questions, and embracing life’s uncertainties. Lyrical prose with a touch of whimsy.
👉 View on Books-A-Million →
👉 View on Bokus (Sweden) →
Daniel Brummitt Galleries
Mixed media illustrations from the creator of Philososaur Magazine. Art sold internationally — crypto always accepted.
👉 View on Bokus (Sweden) →
👉 View on Bookscape (India) →
About the Publisher
Daniel Brummitt Publishing is the home of:
Philososaur Magazine – disruptive art and cultural commentary
DINOGO GO! GLOW! – a children’s poetry book from the dark side
The MOLDmen GALLERY – mixed media illustrations
Psych Victims – cataloging harm by psychiatric systems
One thing you absolutely want to do with Luks is backup the Luks Header. This is a must! I've had many drives that used Luks and hadn't backed up the header only to find my data completely unrecoverable after the partition became corrupted from power surges.