Easy and secure Ubuntu 20.04 installation
At Webera, we are allowed to use few distributions since we all want to have an easy way to collaborate by having similar problems. For example, we can create internal knowledge and scripts on installing the tools we use on our daily tasks as a great DevOps team.
I want to share some screenshots on installing Ubuntu 20.04 without any complication and as vanilla as possible in this straightforward article. Since it is supposed to be very simple, let's get started.
Assuming for now that you were able to download and create your own USB stick with the Ubuntu 20.04 from the site. When you first boot your computer, after some kernel messages and options, the first screen you should see is this:
On this screen, you can select Install Ubuntu and start the process. I will describe or Try Ubuntu and play a little bit before commit to use it. If you select Try Ubuntu, one of the Desktop icons is to start the installation process again, so you don't need to reboot and start over if you decide to install while using it.
Very simple (but not), I recommend you to adopt the English (US) (intl. with dead keys), not the Dvorak one. You will have access to other symbols if you speak or have to write in other languages eventually. Please, evaluate what the best option for you is!
You probably do not see this screen right now because I am connected to ethernet. The screen you see is asking you to configure your Wi-Fi. Please follow the steps. It should be very straightforward. If you have any problems, please contact me on my Twitter @joel.zamboni, and I will try to help if I can.
Here is where the secure part starts. If you see options to install alongside Ubuntu, Windows, or any other thing, it isn't possible to do the next step without selecting Erase disk and install Ubuntu and then select Advanced Features.
Here is where the magic happens :) and on the next screen, you will be prompted to enter a password. My recommendation is that you use a passphrase with several characters and easy to remember.
The next question is the point of no return. If you press continue, it will delete all the partitions on your computer hard drive and be ready to install.
It will go back to the preview screen, but you have to press Install Now, then you can select your timezone.
Now is time to configure your local username and passwords.
Then, the installation process will consume a little time. It will show information about Ubuntu.
Now the installation process is ready, and it will do some steps before restart your computer.
Now is the time to remove your USB Stick
If everything went OK, a screen showing the GRUB menu would appear. Just wait for the timeout or press ENTER.
Now is the moment of truth, time to type your passphrase used to encrypt your hard drive.
If you see this message, your hard drive is open, and the boot process will continue. If not, it will ask again. If you don't remember this password, wipe your drive and start over. There is no recovery except for brute force attacks.
Done, ready to log in.
No CTRL+ALT+DEL needed. Click or use the space bar.
Now is time to do some additional steps. Normally I just skip all of them, even the software installation. I keep all using the old APT/DPG package management, and Canonical is trying to sell the new snap, which is not good, in my opinion.
