COURSE 1 - 4.2.3. VeraCrypt: Encryption/Decryption (outside Tails)
QUICK INFO:
To encrypt a file container with plausible deniability (outside of Tails, using the original VeraCrypt software):
VeraCrypt > "Create Volume" > "Create an encrypted file container" > "Hidden VeraCrypt volume" > "Select File..." > give a name to the file and choose a directory (e.g. "Documents"), then "Save" > select "AES" and "SHA-512" > provide the dimension of the Outer Volume > provide the password of the Outer Volume > choose filesystem (e.g. FAT for universal compatibility) > create randomness by moving the mouse inside the window until the progress bar is completed > "Format" > "Next" > "Next" > select "AES" and "SHA-512" > provide the dimension of the Inner (Hidden) volume (it must be smaller than the dimension of the outer volume: e.g. if outer volume is 100 Mb the hidden volume could be 50 Mb) > provide the password of the Inner (Hidden) volume > choose filesystem (e.g. FAT for universal compatibility) > create randomness by moving the mouse inside the window until the progress bar is completed > "Format" > success pop-up window: click "OK". You can close the application now: the file container was successfully encrypted with plausible deniability.
To decrypt a file container with plausible deniability (outside of Tails, using the original VeraCrypt software):
VeraCrypt > "Select File..." > select the file container to decrypt > "Open" > "Mount" >
if you want to open the Outer Volume (e.g. if you are in front of an adversary), insert the relative password > "OK" > double click on the file container to open it.
if you want to open the Hidden Volume (e.g. if everything is all right), insert the relative password > "OK" > double click on the file container to open it.
Please note (important): in order not to overwrite the Hidden Volume it is strongly suggested that the dimension of the data saved in the Outer Volume is significantly lower the the dimension of the Hidden Volume. For example, if the dimension of the Outer Volume is 100 Mb and the dimension of the Hidden Volume is 50 Mb, then it is strongly advised that the dimension of the data saved in the Outer Volume does not exceed 30-35 Mb.
How to encrypt and decrypt file containers with plausible deniability (i.e. with Hidden Volume) using VeraCrypt outside of Tails.
(In this case, I'm using Linux Kodachi where VeraCrypt is pre-installed. However, after verifying the authenticity of the software, VeraCrypt can be installed in any OS).