Installing VeraCrypt on Your System: A Step-by-Step Guide for Windows, Linux, and macOS(Part 2 of 3)

Building on our exploration of VeraCrypt’s encryption capabilities in Part 1, “Introduction to VeraCrypt: The Basics of Encryption and Hash Algorithms,” we now turn our attention to the practical steps of installing VeraCrypt on your device. In this second part of our three-part series, we’ll guide you through the VeraCrypt installation process to ensure you have the tools you need to start securing your data. Whether you’re using Windows, MacOS, or Linux, this guide will provide you with an easy way to improve your digital security with VeraCrypt.

Windows Installtion Guide:

To begin installing VeraCrypt on a Windows system, start by downloading the VeraCrypt software from the official VeraCrypt website. An interesting feature to note here is the availability of a portable version of VeraCrypt. This version is particularly beneficial for users who prefer the flexibility of not installing the software directly on their system or those who need to use VeraCrypt across multiple devices without installation.

Once you have downloaded the setup file, initiate the installation by running the file. The process begins with a series of pop-up windows guiding you through various setup stages. VeraCrypt support multiple languages, allowing you to select your preferred language for both the installation process and the application itself.

During the installation process for VeraCrypt on Windows, you’re presented with two primary options: “Install” and “Extract.” Here’s a brief overview of what each option entails:

Install: This option will integrate VeraCrypt into your system, installing it on your computer’s hard drive. It creates easy access through the Start Menu or a desktop shortcut, ideal for those who anticipate frequent use of VeraCrypt on the same device. Following the on-screen instructions will lead you through agreeing to the license terms, choosing the installation location, and deciding on other preferences like creating desktop icons or enabling auto-start features.

Extract: For those seeking more flexibility, selecting “Extract” enables you to use VeraCrypt as a portable application. Rather than installing on your hard drive, VeraCrypt’s setup files are extracted to a chosen folder. From this folder, you can run VeraCrypt directly, which is ideal for using the application on multiple computers or from external devices like USB flash drives, without leaving any traces on the host computer.

If you choose to extract VeraCrypt for portable use, it’s essential to understand that each time you move to a new computer and run VeraCrypt, Windows will ask for administrative rights. This is because VeraCrypt needs to load a special driver to operate, which requires these permissions. Without administrator access, VeraCrypt won’t be able to start the driver necessary for its encryption and decryption processes.

Moreover, every attempt to run VeraCrypt in portable mode will trigger a User Account Control (UAC) prompt, asking for permission to run the software. This step ensures security by preventing unauthorized users from running applications that need to modify system settings or install drivers.

Thus, while the portable mode offers the advantage of mobility, it requires that you have the appropriate administrative privileges on the computers you’re using to run VeraCrypt. Keep this in mind as you decide between the portability of the extract option and the ease of a full installation.

Both options have their advantages, depending on your needs. The “Install” option provides convenience for regular use on a personal computer, while the “Extract” option offers flexibility and portability for those who need to use VeraCrypt on the go or across multiple devices.

Linux Installation Guide

While this article focuses on Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution, most Debian-based distributions will follow a similar procedure. For other distributions like Fedora or openSUSE, the method may vary and you should consult specific resources for those systems.

On Ubuntu and its derivatives, you have two main options to install VeraCrypt: downloading the software package directly from the official VeraCrypt website or using the command line, which is often the preferred method for many Linux users due to its speed and efficiency.

To install VeraCrypt via the command line in Ubuntu, you’ll first need to open a terminal window. You can do this by pressing `Ctrl + Alt + T` on your keyboard. Once the terminal is open, you’ll perform the installation with a set of commands.

sudo apt update

This command updates the list of available packages and their versions, but it does not install or upgrade any packages.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:unit193/encryption -y

This adds the repository ‘unit193/encryption’ to your system’s list of repositories. VeraCrypt is available in this third-party repository, allowing you to install it using the `apt` command. The `-y` flag automatically confirms that you want to add this repository.

sudo apt update

Running `apt update` again is necessary after adding a new repository to ensure your package lists are up to date with the new repository’s content.

sudo apt install veracryp

This command installs VeraCrypt on your system.

Remember that before adding third-party repositories or installing software from them, it’s a good practice to verify the trustworthiness of the sources. Third-party repositories are maintained independently from the official Ubuntu repositories, so their security and reliability can vary.

For comprehensive instructions tailored specifically to Ubuntu, there are numerous tutorials available online. One such guide that can be helpful is provided at Linux Capable, where the process is explained in detail, making it an excellent resource for Ubuntu users.

Lastly, while this guide addresses Ubuntu, most steps should work for Debian with little to no modification, as Ubuntu is based on Debian. However, you should always check for any specific instructions or available packages for your particular version of Debian.

macOS Installation Guide

For macOS Monterey 12 and subsequent versions, installing VeraCrypt requires specific steps to ensure the application runs smoothly, particularly on machines with Apple silicon chips, which may necessitate an additional step not required for Intel-based Macs.

Prerequisite: OSXFUSE Installation

• To get started with VeraCrypt on macOS, you must first install OSXFUSE 4 or newer. OSXFUSE is necessary because it provides the file system support needed for VeraCrypt to operate correctly, such as mounting encrypted volumes.
• You can download OSXFUSE from the official GitHub repository or from the project’s website. Ensure you follow the provided instructions during the installation to avoid any issues.

Download VeraCrypt for macOS

• The next step is to download the VeraCrypt for macOS Monterey 12 or later. Make sure to visit the official VeraCrypt website to download the software.

Installing VeraCrypt

• Once OSXFUSE is in place, locate the VeraCrypt disk image file you downloaded and double-click to open it. This will mount the disk image and open a new window containing the VeraCrypt application.
• Inside this window, you’ll typically see the VeraCrypt application icon and a shortcut to the ‘Applications’ folder. Drag the VeraCrypt icon to the ‘Applications’ folder. This action installs the application on your Mac.
• After the transfer is complete, go to the ‘Applications’ folder through Finder and click on VeraCrypt to launch it.
• When opening VeraCrypt for the first time, you’ll likely encounter a prompt asking if you trust the application. This is a standard macOS security measure for apps downloaded outside of the App Store. Provided you’ve verified the download through the PGP signature, you can proceed with confidence.

Apple Chip

• For Macs equipped with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, M3), installing VeraCrypt requires additional steps. After installing MacFUSE, a system restart in Recovery Mode is necessary to authorize its use. Following this, download and install VeraCrypt from its official VeraCrypt website. Upon first launch, macOS will prompt you to confirm if you trust the app, which is standard for software downloaded outside the App Store. Ensure VeraCrypt’s integrity through verification before proceeding.
• For detailed installation guides on Apple Silicon Macs, Eric Engstrom’s blog and iBoysoft article on enabling system extensions provide valuable information.

By completing these steps, VeraCrypt will be ready to use on your macOS device, granting you the ability to securely encrypt your sensitive data.

Stay tuned for the third and final part of this series, where we’ll cover how to effectively use VeraCrypt to manage your encrypted volumes.