Container Tricks

VeraCrypt [10] is responsible for encrypting the entire system, individual partitions, or "containers." Containers in this case consist of files of a fixed size, which the system treats like virtual drives after decryption. The software offers the option of hiding one container in another, making it impossible to prove its existence. VeraCrypt (Figure 7) was founded in 2012 as a fork of TrueCrypt, which was abruptly discontinued by its developers in 2015 under what are still somewhat mysterious circumstances. VeraCrypt has been considered its successor since then, because the code is largely compatible.

Figure 7: VeraCrypt encrypts systems, partitions, and USB flash drives.

The hidden containers in particular make encryption interesting for the purposes of Mofo. Encryption can be set up so that less important data is subject to normal encryption, while the hidden container contains the genuinely sensitive data. If the authorities ask the owner of a computer to hand over the password for encryption, the user can seem to cooperate without revealing compromising data. The distribution also includes zuluCrypt and eCryptfs as an alternative to VeraCrypt.

Another tool to help secure connections is offered by the Cjdns [11] network protocol, which also forms the basis of the Hyperboria network [12]. The principle here is that of mesh networking, as used in Germany by the Freifunk network. Remotely coupled mesh networks, whose single node is no longer connected to a central access provider, more or less form their own network on the Internet if the network manages to grow to a reasonable size. Cjdns provides functions not only for managing peer-to-peer connections but also for encrypting the transport routes.

Conclusions

Mofo Linux is a quickly installed and easy-to-use distribution based on Ubuntu. The operating system is completely secondary, leaving the stage to the tools that fulfill the actual role of the distribution. It is becoming increasingly important to protect information to avoid jeopardizing the owner or other persons. Mofo Linux takes care of this and offers a range of well-integrated tools to do so. Only the initial failure of the Tor Browser to launch, despite being a key feature of the distribution, could scare off less savvy users. The developers need to improve here with a view to ensuring ease of use, which Mofo otherwise consistently offers.