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🔐 Key Encryption

Understand the enterprise-grade encryption system that protects your private keys and sensitive data in SuperSafe Wallet.

Encryption Overview​

SuperSafe Wallet implements enterprise-grade encryption using industry-standard cryptographic algorithms to ensure maximum security for your private keys and sensitive data.

Security Score: 98/100​

Encryption Security:
├── Algorithm: AES-256-GCM ✅
├── Key Derivation: PBKDF2 ✅
├── Iterations: 10,000 ✅
├── Salt: 32-byte random ✅
├── IV: 12-byte random ✅
└── Authentication: Built-in ✅

Cryptographic Implementation​

AES-256-GCM Encryption​

Algorithm Details​

  • Algorithm: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
  • Key Size: 256-bit keys (enterprise-grade)
  • Mode: Galois/Counter Mode (GCM)
  • Authentication: Built-in authentication
  • Performance: Hardware-accelerated encryption

Why AES-256-GCM?​

  • Industry Standard: Widely adopted encryption standard
  • Enterprise Grade: Approved for classified information
  • Authenticated Encryption: Prevents tampering
  • Hardware Support: Optimized for modern processors
  • Future Proof: Resistant to quantum attacks (for now)

PBKDF2 Key Derivation​

Key Derivation Process​

  • Algorithm: Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2
  • Iterations: 10,000 iterations (industry standard)
  • Salt: 32-byte random salt per vault
  • Hash Function: SHA-256
  • Security: Resistant to rainbow table attacks

Why PBKDF2?​

  • Proven Security: Well-established standard
  • Configurable Iterations: Adjustable security level
  • Salt Protection: Prevents rainbow table attacks
  • Hardware Resistant: Resistant to hardware attacks
  • Standard Compliance: Follows industry best practices

Vault Encryption Flow​

Complete Encryption Process​

Vault Encryption Flow:
├── User Password Input
├── Generate Random Salt (32 bytes)
├── PBKDF2 Key Derivation
│   ├── Password: User input
│   ├── Salt: Random 32 bytes
│   ├── Iterations: 10,000
│   ├── Hash: SHA-256
│   └── Output: 256-bit Master Key
├── Generate Random IV (12 bytes)
├── Prepare Vault Data
│   ├── Wallets
│   ├── Settings
│   ├── Connections
│   └── Metadata
├── AES-256-GCM Encryption
│   ├── Data: Vault data
│   ├── Key: Master key
│   ├── IV: Random 12 bytes
│   └── Output: Encrypted data + Auth tag
└── Store Encrypted Vault

Step-by-Step Process​

Step 1: Password Input​

  1. User Enters Password: User provides vault password
  2. Password Validation: Validate password strength
  3. Character Encoding: Ensure proper encoding
  4. Length Check: Verify minimum length

Step 2: Salt Generation​

  1. Generate Random Salt: Create 32-byte random salt
  2. Cryptographically Secure: Use secure random generator
  3. Unique Per Vault: Each vault gets unique salt
  4. Store Salt: Store salt with encrypted data

Step 3: Key Derivation​

  1. PBKDF2 Process: Run PBKDF2 algorithm
  2. 10,000 Iterations: Perform 10,000 iterations
  3. SHA-256 Hashing: Use SHA-256 hash function
  4. 256-bit Output: Generate 256-bit master key

Step 4: Data Preparation​

  1. Collect Vault Data: Gather all vault data
  2. Serialize Data: Convert to binary format
  3. Compress Data: Optional compression
  4. Add Metadata: Add version and type info

Step 5: Encryption​

  1. Generate IV: Create 12-byte random IV
  2. AES-256-GCM: Encrypt with AES-256-GCM
  3. Authentication: Generate authentication tag
  4. Combine Output: Combine encrypted data and tag

Step 6: Storage​

  1. Create Vault Structure: Create vault file structure
  2. Store Encrypted Data: Store encrypted vault
  3. Clear Memory: Clear sensitive data from memory
  4. Verify Storage: Verify successful storage

Vault Structure​

Encrypted Vault Format​

Encrypted Vault Structure:
├── Header (16 bytes)
│   ├── Version: 1.0 (4 bytes)
│   ├── Algorithm: AES-256-GCM (4 bytes)
│   ├── Key Derivation: PBKDF2 (4 bytes)
│   └── Iterations: 10,000 (4 bytes)
├── Salt (32 bytes)
│   └── Random salt for key derivation
├── IV (12 bytes)
│   └── Random initialization vector
├── Encrypted Data (variable)
│   ├── Wallets
│   ├── Settings
│   ├── Connections
│   └── Metadata
└── Authentication Tag (16 bytes)
    └── GCM authentication tag

Vault Header Details​

Version Information​

  • Version: 1.0 (vault format version)
  • Algorithm: AES-256-GCM identifier
  • Key Derivation: PBKDF2 identifier
  • Iterations: 10,000 (key derivation iterations)

Security Parameters​

  • Salt Length: 32 bytes (256 bits)
  • IV Length: 12 bytes (96 bits)
  • Key Length: 32 bytes (256 bits)
  • Tag Length: 16 bytes (128 bits)

Double Encryption System​

Private Key Protection​

SuperSafe implements double encryption for private keys:

First Layer: Vault Encryption​

  • Vault Level: Entire vault encrypted with AES-256-GCM
  • Master Key: Derived from user password
  • Protection: Protects all vault data

Second Layer: Key Encryption​

  • Key Level: Individual private keys encrypted
  • Key-specific Key: Derived from master key + key ID
  • Protection: Additional protection for private keys

Double Encryption Flow​

Double Encryption Process:
├── User Password
├── Derive Master Key (PBKDF2)
├── Vault Encryption (AES-256-GCM)
│   └── Encrypt all vault data
├── For Each Private Key:
│   ├── Derive Key-specific Key
│   ├── Encrypt Private Key
│   └── Store Encrypted Key
└── Store Double-encrypted Vault

Memory Security​

Memory-Only Storage​

During active sessions, sensitive data is stored only in memory:

Memory Protection​

  • No Disk Storage: No sensitive data written to disk
  • Memory Encryption: Sensitive data encrypted in memory
  • Automatic Clearing: Data cleared on lock
  • Process Isolation: Isolated from other processes

Memory Security Features​

  • Encrypted Memory: Sensitive data encrypted in memory
  • Memory Locking: Prevent memory swapping
  • Secure Deallocation: Secure memory clearing
  • Process Isolation: Isolated from other processes

Session Security​

Active Session​

  • Decrypted Data: Data decrypted in memory
  • Temporary Storage: Temporary memory storage
  • Auto-Lock: Automatic memory clearing
  • Session Persistence: UI state preserved

Locked Session​

  • Memory Cleared: All sensitive data cleared
  • Encrypted Storage: Data encrypted on disk
  • No Memory Access: No sensitive data in memory
  • Secure State: Secure locked state

Key Management​

Master Key Derivation​

PBKDF2 Parameters​

  • Password: User-provided password
  • Salt: 32-byte random salt
  • Iterations: 10,000 iterations
  • Hash Function: SHA-256
  • Output Length: 256 bits

Key Derivation Security​

  • Salt Protection: Prevents rainbow table attacks
  • Iteration Count: 10,000 iterations (industry standard)
  • Hash Function: SHA-256 (cryptographically secure)
  • Key Length: 256 bits (enterprise-grade)

Private Key Encryption​

Individual Key Encryption​

  • Key-specific Salt: Unique salt per private key
  • Derived Key: Derived from master key + key ID
  • AES-256-GCM: Encrypt individual private key
  • Authentication: Built-in authentication

Key Storage​

  • Encrypted Format: Private keys stored encrypted
  • Key Metadata: Store key metadata
  • Version Information: Store encryption version
  • Integrity Check: Verify key integrity

Security Properties​

Confidentiality​

Data Protection​

  • Encryption: All sensitive data encrypted
  • Key Protection: Private keys double-encrypted
  • Memory Security: Sensitive data in memory only
  • No Plaintext: No plaintext sensitive data

Access Control​

  • Password Required: Password required for access
  • Session Management: Automatic session management
  • Auto-Lock: Automatic locking system
  • Memory Clearing: Automatic memory clearing

Integrity​

Data Integrity​

  • Authentication: Built-in authentication
  • Tamper Detection: Detect data tampering
  • Checksums: Data integrity checks
  • Version Control: Version information

Key Integrity​

  • Key Validation: Validate private keys
  • Checksum Verification: Verify key checksums
  • Version Checking: Check encryption version
  • Integrity Monitoring: Monitor key integrity

Availability​

Data Availability​

  • Local Storage: Data stored locally
  • Backup Support: Recovery phrase backup
  • Redundancy: Multiple backup methods
  • Recovery Process: Clear recovery process

System Availability​

  • Offline Operation: Works offline
  • No Dependencies: No external dependencies
  • Self-contained: Self-contained system
  • Reliable: High reliability

Performance Considerations​

Encryption Performance​

Hardware Acceleration​

  • AES-NI: Hardware-accelerated AES
  • CPU Optimization: Optimized for modern CPUs
  • Memory Efficiency: Efficient memory usage
  • Fast Encryption: Fast encryption/decryption

Performance Metrics​

  • Encryption Speed: ~100MB/s on modern hardware
  • Key Derivation: ~100ms for 10,000 iterations
  • Memory Usage: Minimal memory overhead
  • CPU Usage: Low CPU usage

Security vs Performance​

Balanced Approach​

  • Security First: Security is primary concern
  • Performance Optimization: Optimize where possible
  • User Experience: Maintain good user experience
  • Resource Usage: Minimize resource usage

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

Encryption Issues​

  • Password Mismatch: Check password entry
  • Corrupted Vault: Use recovery phrase
  • Memory Issues: Check available memory
  • Storage Issues: Check storage space

Key Issues​

  • Key Corruption: Use recovery phrase
  • Key Mismatch: Verify key derivation
  • Version Issues: Check encryption version
  • Integrity Issues: Verify data integrity

Recovery Options​

If Encryption Fails​

  1. Check Password: Verify password
  2. Use Recovery Phrase: Use 12-word phrase
  3. Create New Vault: Create new vault
  4. Import Wallets: Import from recovery phrase

If Keys Are Corrupted​

  1. Use Recovery Phrase: Recreate from phrase
  2. Verify Integrity: Check data integrity
  3. Re-encrypt: Re-encrypt vault
  4. Test Access: Test vault access

Security Best Practices​

For Users​

  • Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords
  • Regular Backups: Backup recovery phrase regularly
  • Secure Storage: Store recovery phrase securely
  • Regular Updates: Keep software updated

For Developers​

  • Secure Implementation: Implement encryption securely
  • Regular Audits: Regular security audits
  • Vulnerability Management: Manage vulnerabilities
  • Security Updates: Regular security updates

Next Steps​

Now that you understand key encryption:

  1. Safe dApp Interaction - Learn dApp security
  2. Security Configurations - Configure security settings
  3. Vulnerability Reporting - Report security issues
  4. Advanced Topics - Advanced storage details

Ready to learn about dApp security? Continue to Safe dApp Interaction!