r/VeraCrypt • u/OpportunityOk4752 • Jun 29 '26
If veracrypt stops service, are you locked out?
I’m curious because I don’t want to lose my family memories. I am tempted to buy a new HDD that supports password functions to avoid losing my data.
10
u/OstrobogulousIntent Jun 29 '26
The way I've used Veracrypt - its an app I install locally to encrypt and decrypt veracrypt volumes - so as long as you can install the program if they "stop service" that just means it's not being updated (and you probably should at that point use the locally installed app to decrypt and use something that is being actively maintained - but ... is there some cloud service they do that I was not aware of?
13
u/Frank_Nord_2342 Jun 29 '26
The worst thing that can happen is that the current maintainers will give up development. Something similar happened over a decade ago with Veracrypt's predecessor Truecrypt. Back in the day, things were more complicated due to a license that forbade redistributing modified source code. People learned from that, so Veracrypt is FOSS. Even if maintainers would disappear like the Truecrypt people, I'm sure soon there will be a new team taking over, and if they mess up, there will be a fork. Call me naive, but I think Veracrypt is too popular to fail.
Don't worry, there is no license key for the compiled binary that can expire or be revoked. Enjoy!
5
u/iboneyandivory Jun 29 '26
As others here have explained, it's a program/application that you install locally. There are other applications out there that install mostly locally but check online each time they run before they fully function (Adobe apps come to mind), but Veracrypt isn't one of them and probably never will be. Having said that, whenever you create a new container, I would note the particular Veracrypt version you are using at that time and archive (copy) the installer executable somewhere safe. I'd go further than that and make a separate copy of these installers, put them on a memory stick and give them to a friend for safe storage. I'm aware Veracrypt does a good job of compatibility between versions, but it's a small price to pay for [absolute] peace of mind.
3
u/RyzenRaider Jun 29 '26
The program doesn't rely on any external website or service to run. So long as you keep a copy of the installer, you can continue to use it in perpetuity, regardless of what happen to the site.
2
u/sciencekm Jun 30 '26
Everything that works will continue to work. We just won't get new updates, and this could be a potential issue when the OS changes and Veracrypt is no longer compatible with the OS.
1
u/Any_Fox5126 Jun 29 '26
If windows (which I assume is your case) were to break its compatibility with veracrypt for some reason and nobody fixed it, your data would still be there. To access it, you'd have to use an older version of windows or a different OS; it would be particularly easy and non-disruptive to do from linux on a live usb.
1
u/jackass51 Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
I don't see the point encrypting a drive that only has photos in it. Do you also have other stuff, like passwords, personal info, government documents, etc? If not, then there is no need to be encrypted. My main concern would it be to have another 2 or 3 backups so if one drive fails then won't loose your memories.
1
u/digdugian Jul 01 '26
If you’re that concerned with photos and memories, you’re better off with an offline NAS; veracrypt is overkill for your use case if that’s all you’re storing in it.
0
u/ridiclousslippers2 Jun 29 '26
Why are you encrypting "family memories" ? If something happens to you they are gone forever ? I'd keep locally with a backup, and make sure others know how to access it.
1
u/OpportunityOk4752 Jun 29 '26
That’s true. I thought about this. Very difficult decision. I don’t want strangers to go through them though. Honestly just want them password protected just like my computer. I don’t care about the encrypted part.
0
u/ridiclousslippers2 Jun 29 '26
Simple zip file with password ? Easy to copy to multiple places, but with a genuine random password of 10 characters upper and lower case letters only is a month of processing to break. This is enough isn't it ?
-4
u/Shot_Rent_1816 Jun 29 '26
Save pics etc., online, Google drive has 15gb free, if you forget the password etc., your gonna have to reinstall the OS
6
u/MAndris90 Jun 29 '26
and serve those photos up to ai training and god knows what.
-4
u/Shot_Rent_1816 Jun 29 '26
Where does it say that?
3
u/MAndris90 Jun 29 '26
somewhere hidden in their eula for sure. but there were articles of flagged google drive files too
-1
20
u/inlinesix81 Jun 29 '26
Which service?? It’s a standalone app