How to mount TrueCrypt volume to recover Macrium Reflect image?

[fishak]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum, and would like some help.

I don't know which Linux distro is best for my purpose, so please advise, and I will try in another section if appropriate.

I have created a TrueCrypt volume, mounted it in Windows, and created an image file for my OS partition using Macrium Reflect (free version).

I made a Rescue CD for Macrium, and the setup works great on unencrypted files, but I have no way to mount the TrueCrypt volume, while booted to the Macruim rescue CD. I have Puppy Linux 4.3.1 on a CD, and can boot to it. I'm a beginner's beginner, however, and I haven't figured out how to install TrueCrypt with Puppy Linux running. Getting the Macrium recovery program to run with the TrueCrypt volume mounted looks even more complicated, and I don't know if it's even possible.

I want to be able to recover my laptop from a drive failure, as well as protect my OS from bad programs or malware. Macrium reflect does this job well, because it:

1. is free

2. only writes the used space of the system partition to the image file, and also compresses the data, resulting in a relatively small file. (~ 50 percent of the used space on the OS partition)

3. retains drive alignment for a pre-aligned partition.

However, I wish to keep my backup partitions encrypted to protect my privacy. TrueCrypt does an excellent job of this because it:

1. is free

2. encrypts the OS and all data on the computer.

3. protects all backup data.

I like the fact that Puppy Linux can be loaded into memory, so I only need to boot from removable media to work on my OS partition. I understand there is a portable Ubuntu OS, and perhaps this would be a better platform for my goal?

Is there a way to combine Linux on removable media, with Macrium Reflect, and recover an image from a TrueCrypt volume?

If no, what other solution would satisfy my requirement?

[Irithori]

So you create an image of the non-encrypted device?
Or did I misunderstand something?

[fishak]

Hi Irithori,

Yes and no. TrueCrypt manages encryption of data on a device, which can- and in my case does- include the system partition. Encryption/decryption is performed "on the fly", so while mounted with TrueCrypt, the encrypted space is presented to all other applications as unencrypted space.

However, once TrueCrypt is dismounted, data is no longer available.

I can process an image file, using an imaging program, normally, and that file is created "in the clear". However, by creating that file inside an additional, mounted TrueCrypt volume, access to the contents of that volume is not possible, once TC has been dismounted from it. Once the volume is remounted by TC, the contents (in this case an image file) appear again, as unencrypted to all applications.

I hope I'm making this less foggy instead of more...

So yes the image is made of a device that appears (to the imaging tool) to be non-encrypted, but no, the device is actually encrypted.

[Irithori]

ok, so I got it right.

But that means, that anyone who gets access to that image also has access to your data.
Doesnt that defeat the purpose of the procedures you apply to that system?

[fishak]

Anyone who has access to the image, and the password that allows TC to un-encrypt the volume that the image is inside of, has access to the data. TC will not mount the container without authorization.

[fishak]

OK, so I figured out how to install TrueCrypt with Puppy loaded, and was able to navigate to one of my TC volumes, and mount it. However, I can't figure out where the mount point is. TC shows 64 “slots” available to mount volumes in, but I don't know how to navigate to the slot once mounted. I expected another partition or drive icon to appear on the desktop, but nothing shows up. I'll work on that part tomorrow.

The big question is, can Macrium Reflect be run from Linux? I mean the rescue CD is built on, and boots to Linux, but how can I run it once Linux is already running? I have found very little on this so far. There is some interest, and some people in other forums say they plan to work on it, but I haven't found any instruction.