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Encrypting data on local servers? (feddit.org)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

26 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I am looking for some recommendations on how to secure the data of my physical servers (against physical theft), that I am about to set up. I am new to selfhosting but have a few years of experience running Linux on a desktop.

My usecase is a simple debian(?) server at home with Paperless ngx and Tailscale for when I am away from home.

The question is how to encrypt the data while still being able to keep the server updated.

Coming from Desktop my first thought was to simply enable FDE on install. But that would mean supplying the password everytime the server needs to reboot for an update. Could someone provide some insights on how often updates to debian require a reboot?

My second thought was to use an encrypted data partition. That way the server could reboot and I could use wireguard to ssh in and open the partition even when I am away from home for a longer time.

I am open to other ideas!

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm using https://github.com/dracut-crypt-ssh/dracut-crypt-ssh on some of my servers. The initrd opens an ssh port where you can login and enter the passphrase. Setting it up is non-trivial, but it works well. Haven't tried it on Debian but there should be something similar.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

This is actually really interesting, I might have to try this.

I currently use a USB stick with a key file on it that I need to plug in on boot. Something like this but it wasn't that easy for me. https://openterprise.it/2022/07/fedora-unlock-luks-full-disk-encrypted-system-using-usb-stick/

Edit: I wonder if yours will work on my VPS.... I'd love to encrypt that.