# EncFS

> File encryption system

**Wikidata**: [Q1339972](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1339972)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EncFS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/encfs

## Summary
EncFS is a free and open-source cryptographic file system that provides transparent encryption for files stored on a computer. It allows users to encrypt data at the file level, ensuring confidentiality and security. Initially released in 2003, EncFS runs on Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD, and is licensed under the GNU General Public License.

## Key Facts
- **Initial Release**: 2003.
- **License**: GNU General Public License.
- **Latest Version**: 1.9.5 (released April 27, 2018).
- **Operating Systems**: Supports Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD.
- **Repository**: Hosted on GitHub at [https://github.com/vgough/encfs](https://github.com/vgough/encfs).
- **Website**: [https://vgough.github.io/encfs/](https://vgough.github.io/encfs/).
- **Encryption Approach**: Uses a user-selected password and cryptographic algorithms to secure files.
- **Development Status**: Actively maintained with periodic updates.

## FAQs
### Q: What platforms does EncFS support?
A: EncFS runs on Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD, making it a cross-platform encryption solution.

### Q: Is EncFS free to use?
A: Yes, EncFS is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, allowing users to run, modify, and share the software.

### Q: How does EncFS secure files?
A: EncFS encrypts files individually using a password-derived key, ensuring that only authorized users can access the decrypted data.

## Why It Matters
EncFS plays a critical role in data security by providing a user-friendly method to encrypt files transparently. Unlike full-disk encryption, EncFS operates at the file system level, allowing selective encryption of specific directories. This flexibility is particularly valuable for protecting sensitive data in cloud storage or shared systems. As free and open-source software, EncFS promotes transparency and trust, enabling independent audits of its cryptographic implementation. Its cross-platform compatibility and integration with FUSE (Filesystem in Userspace) make it a versatile tool for individuals and organizations prioritizing data privacy.

## Notable For
- **Selective Encryption**: Encrypts files individually rather than entire disks.
- **FUSE Integration**: Leverages FUSE for platform compatibility without kernel modifications.
- **Open Development**: Hosted on GitHub with a transparent development process.
- **Long-Term Support**: Maintained since 2003 with regular security updates.

## Body
### Technical Overview
EncFS is a cryptographic file system that stores encrypted files in a designated directory (the "encrypted" view) while providing decrypted access through a virtual mount point (the "plaintext" view). It uses a combination of cryptographic algorithms, including AES and SHA-256, to secure data. The system requires users to mount the encrypted directory using a password, which is hashed to derive the encryption key.

### Version History
- **1.8.2**: Released March 29, 2015.
- **1.9.1**: Released September 19, 2016 (stable version).
- **1.9.5**: Latest stable version as of April 27, 2018.

### Development and Distribution
- **Repository**: Source code is hosted on GitHub, with contributions managed by maintainer "vgough."
- **Packages**: Available in major Linux distributions (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu, Arch Linux) and via Homebrew for macOS.
- **Documentation**: Official guides and community resources, including Arch Wiki articles in English and Spanish.

### Security and Quality Assurance
- **Continuous Integration**: Uses Travis CI for automated testing, as configured in `.travis.yml`.
- **Auditability**: Open-source nature allows for public review of cryptographic practices.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "EncFS",
  "description": "A free and open-source cryptographic file system for transparent file encryption.",
  "url": "https://vgough.github.io/encfs/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30591718",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EncFS"
  ],
  "operatingSystem": "Linux, macOS, FreeBSD",
  "applicationCategory": "https://schema.org/EncryptionSoftware",
  "version": "1.9.5",
  "datePublished": "2003",
  "license": "https://spdx.org/licenses/GPL-2.0-or-later.html",
  "sourceCode": "https://github.com/vgough/encfs"
}

## References

1. [encfs / ChangeLog](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/blob/master/ChangeLog)
2. [Release 1.9.1. 2016](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.9.1)
3. [Release 1.9. 2016](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.9)
4. [Release 1.8.1. 2015](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.8.1)
5. [Release 1.8. 2015](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.8)
6. [Release 1.9.2. 2017](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.9.2)
7. [Release 1.9.4. 2018](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.9.4)
8. [Release 1.9.3. 2018](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.9.3)
9. [Release 1.9.5. 2018](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/releases/tag/v1.9.5)
10. [encfs / README.md](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/blob/master/README.md)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/vgough/encfs)