I deleted my wrapped passphrase file.
I used my 32 character Mount passphrase. The temp is still encrypted. How to I view the files. Do I need the wrapped passphrase file?


Sequence of events.

Mint 17.3, Cinnamon, encrypted home directory
It was midnight and thought I was deleting gpa-seahorse conflicting files.
Now I’m getting error msg ..can not update ICEauthority.
I used a chmod command that I think was ineffective.
Days later.

tty, login root
ecryptfs-recover-private
INFO: Found [/home/.ecryptfs/myname/.Private]
Try to recover this directory? Y
INFO: Could not find your wrapped passphrase file
INFO: ..must have original Mount passphrase…
INFO: success. Private mounted at [/tmp/ecryptfs.sxgpIO0j]

cd to tmp directory to find hundreds of files starting with ECRYPTFS_FNEK_ENCRYPTED.longencryptednames .

I'm stuck.
I tried original CD for file manager. Also tried caja at command line but do not execute.
How do I view files? Or is the passphrase file required.
I’m 90% sure this 32 character passphrase applies to this computer.

Because you also have encrypted filenames, I believe you need to "ecryptfs-add-passphrase --fnek" first (before the recover). Then the passphrase should work.

I only ever used ecryptfs once, but I believe this is the solution to your issue.

Thanks for ecryptfs-add-passphrase -fnek, but this is not working.
I have tried combinations of livecd and bootup CtrAltF1 terminal, the results are the same, ECRYPTFS_FNEK_ENCRYPTED.longencryptednames.


I have tried combinations of mounts, example,
sudo mount -t ecryptfs /media/mint/43cc-media/home.ecryptfs /media/mint/43cc-device/home/mkdirtank
and associated 16 or 32 byte selection. error msg.


I have tried passphrase,skip the mounting, going directly to sudo ecryptfs-recover private. No dice.. Maybe I am using the wrong Mount passphrase. I think I have pushed this rock uphill long enough. Lesson learned - don't work on computers at midnight. And make regular backups.

That's a double minus on the fnek ...