Encryption and Virtualbox?

[Munky]

What's a good way to combine encryption with virtualization? I'm currently running Windows 7, and want to try Ubuntu using virtualbox. But I also want to encrypt my Windows 7 files using truecrypt (and possibly the Ubuntu files), and trying to think of a good way to go about putting it all together. I also have a free unused drive, which I can possibly put to good use.

My plan is to encrypt the entire Windows 7 disk, and run virtualbox from the same volume. Will that work, or am I missing something?

 

[ch33zw1z]

I've seen it done using PGP, why do you think it won't work?

 

[Munky]

I'm wondering how having the host system encrypted will impact the virtual machine. For example:

-Do I also need to run truecrypt inside the virtual machine to secure the virtual disk?
-How do I share files between the encrypted host and the virtual machine?

 

[ch33zw1z]

I'm wondering how having the host system encrypted will impact the virtual machine. For example:

-Do I also need to run truecrypt inside the virtual machine to secure the virtual disk?
-How do I share files between the encrypted host and the virtual machine?

Assuming you plan on storing the VM file ON the encrypted host drive, then it's encrypted because the drive is encrypted. If you move the VM file to a different machine the encryption won't follow it. Depending on your hardware, encryption in general could impact your system. But with modern systems (C2D, or AMD w/e) and a decent hard disk you won't even notice.

I always used a regular old network share to move files between the two. But it's been a while since I've used VB or VMware, they may have made it easier...like drag and drop.

 

[Munky]

Cool, thanks for the help. I've used encryption before with no noticeable performance impact. Just haven't tried it with a virtual machine.