On 9/24/22 9:31 PM, Tim via users wrote:
On Sat, 2022-09-24 at 11:14 -0500, Robert Nichols wrote:
If you follow the recommendation to fill the device with random data first

When was that ever recommended, and where?

While a logical thing to do, I've never seen anything or anyone ever
say that.

I recall that recommendation being in the cryptsetup FAQ, but it doesn't seem 
to be there any more.

A device that was not initialized with random data is going to allow some information 
about the usage pattern to be leaked. As a simple example, a device that had only been 
filled only to a small fraction of its capacity would reveal, through the pattern of its 
metadata blocks, what filesystem was employed. It's the same reason that passthrough of 
SSD discard (TRIM) commands through the LUKS layer is blocked unless explicitly enabled. 
(See the comments for the "--allow-discards" option in the cryptsetup manpage 
for details.)

I doubt that is a practical concern for anyone reading this. I know I don't 
worry about it.

--
Bob Nichols     "NOSPAM" is really part of my email address.
                Do NOT delete it.
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