umount.ecryptfs

umount.ecryptfs mount_point

mount_point
    The path to the eCryptfs mount point that should be unmounted.

The `umount.ecryptfs` command is a helper utility for unmounting eCryptfs mounts. eCryptfs is a stacked cryptographic filesystem for Linux. This command is used as a umount helper script and is typically invoked by the `umount` command. It decrypts and unmounts the specified eCryptfs mount point. It handles details like cleaning up the eCryptfs kernel module and safely removing the encryption layer from the filesystem. It ensures the data is consistent and prevents data loss during the unmount process. In most environments, the user will not run this command directly, instead they will rely on the `umount` command, which recognizes that the mount point is eCryptfs and call the helper `umount.ecryptfs` script automatically. It requires proper permissions and checks the validity of the mount before proceeding. Improper use may lead to data corruption if the filesystem isn't cleanly unmounted.

Using `umount.ecryptfs` directly might not be the recommended approach. Always prefer using the `umount` command. Data corruption can occur if the filesystem is not properly synced before being unmounted. Ensure there are no open files or processes accessing the mount point before unmounting.

It is highly recommended to use the standard `umount` command instead of directly invoking `umount.ecryptfs`. The `umount` command automatically determines the filesystem type and calls the appropriate helper. For example, `umount /home/user/private`.

If the unmount fails, check the system logs for error messages from eCryptfs. Common errors include busy filesystems (files still being used) or permission problems.

eCryptfs was developed as a way to transparently encrypt files on a Linux system. `umount.ecryptfs` was created as part of the eCryptfs project, to provide a reliable way to unmount the encrypted filesystem, cleaning up associated kernel resources. It has been around since eCryptfs was created.

mount(8), ecryptfs(7), ecryptfsd(8), umount(8)