Normally Zero Trace Pen forgets every change you made on it when you reboot (that is why it is called Zero Trace). However, when you want to make orders you might want to save some files. This is possible by setting up the persistence volume which encrypts, and stores your data after restarting. The Zero Trace Pen uses VeraCrypt to encrypt your data.
Make sure the persistence volume is actually working before you use it. Meaning if you plan on setting up a saved wallet, make sure you can save it properly before you start to use it. A simple reset will let you know that your keys are still there after purging.
Note: Make sure that you do not forget or lose your persistence password. If you lose it, you also lose access to your whole installation which includes PGP keys, market accounts, and Electrum wallet if you have not written down your seed (which you should do).
The unrecoverable nature of the volume was designed for your protection.
Some of the things you can enable the Pen to save are
- Personal Data
- Browser Bookmarks
- Network Passwords
- Additional Software
- Printers
- Thunderbird
- GnuPG
- Bitcoin Client
- Pidgin
- SSH Client
- Dotfiles
A detailed explanation of each setting can be found when enabling.
Creating Persistence
- To create or configure the Persistent Storage, simply go to Application->Configure persistent volume
- Specify a passphrase of your choice in both the Passphrase and Verify Passphrase text boxes. The best way to create a password that is both strong and memorable is to create a mnemonic. A mnemonic of at least 5 words or more is recommended.
- Click on the Create button.
- Each feature corresponds to a set of files or settings that can be saved in the Persistent Storage. Click which options you need, and click Save at the bottom.
NOTE: If you are new and unsure which options you will need, chances are you will want to enable Personal data, GnuPG, Bitcoin client, and Dotfiles. Others can be added later if you want them.
- Restart your machine
- Your welcome should now look like this
Once you log in You can now save your personal files and working documents in the Persistent folder. To open the Persistent folder choose Places -> Persistent. The other tools you enabled will save automatically.
Note: Unticking a tool in the persistent configuration will NOT delete the files of your persistent in the future. If you need to delete see below.
How to delete persistence.
- Start the Pen from the USB stick on which you want to delete the Persistent Storage.
In the Welcome Screen, keep the Persistent Storage locked.
- Choose Applications -> Delete persistent volume.
- Click Delete.
Alternatively, if you want to delete the files for a specific tool, without losing everything follow this:
- Start the Pen and set an administration password, you can make it anything (Click the plus on the welcome screen)
- Choose Applications -> System Tools -> Root Terminal to open a terminal with administration rights.
- Type nautilus to open the file browser with administration rights.
- In the file browser, navigate to /live/persistence/_unlocked.
- Delete the folder corresponding to the feature.
