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| 1 | +# Keycard Implementation |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +## Introduction |
| 4 | + |
| 5 | +This document outlines the process of integrating Keycard into a Java-based application for symmetrically encrypting and decrypting data, particularly focusing on file-based applications with IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) storage. |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +## Developers: Criteria for Commits |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | +Contributors should follow these guidelines to ensure consistency and security in the codebase. |
| 10 | + |
| 11 | +### Encryption Process: |
| 12 | + |
| 13 | +#### User Passphrase Input: |
| 14 | +- Ensure secure input handling. |
| 15 | +- Use secure GUI prompts or console inputs that don't echo the passphrase. |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +#### Signing Passphrase with Keycard: |
| 18 | +- Keycards typically sign a hash of data rather than the passphrase directly. |
| 19 | +- Use the Keycard to securely generate or sign a hash of the passphrase for encryption. |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +#### Key Generation and Management: |
| 22 | +- Generate a symmetric key based on the signed data, ensuring cryptographic security. |
| 23 | +- Securely handle the key in memory and clear it immediately after use. |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +#### Integration with GPG: |
| 26 | +- Pass the symmetric key to GPG securely for encryption. |
| 27 | +- Avoid using command-line arguments for key passing. |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +#### Security Measures: |
| 30 | +- Implement measures to prevent memory dumping. |
| 31 | +- Ensure secure deletion of temporary files or logs containing sensitive data. |
| 32 | +- Use secure file handling libraries in Java. |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +#### Uploading to IPFS: |
| 35 | +- Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data during the IPFS upload process. |
| 36 | +- Securely handle IPFS interactions and manage CIDs appropriately. |
| 37 | + |
| 38 | +### Decryption Process: |
| 39 | + |
| 40 | +#### Retrieve File from IPFS: |
| 41 | +- Ensure secure retrieval of the encrypted file from IPFS using the CID. |
| 42 | + |
| 43 | +#### Passphrase Handling: |
| 44 | +- Manage passphrase input securely, similar to the encryption process. |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +#### Keycard Interaction: |
| 47 | +- Use the Keycard to generate or retrieve the decryption key securely. |
| 48 | + |
| 49 | +#### Decrypting with GPG: |
| 50 | +- Decrypt the file using GPG with the symmetric key derived from the Keycard-signed data. |
| 51 | +- Ensure secure handling of key material during decryption. |
| 52 | + |
| 53 | +#### Post-Decryption Security: |
| 54 | +- Manage decrypted data securely. |
| 55 | +- Clean up any sensitive remnants in memory or temporary storage. |
| 56 | + |
| 57 | +#### Error Handling and Logging: |
| 58 | +- Implement robust error handling for Keycard interactions, GPG operations, and IPFS retrieval. |
| 59 | +- Avoid storing sensitive information in logs. |
| 60 | + |
| 61 | +### General Considerations: |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +#### Cryptographic Best Practices: |
| 64 | +- Adhere to best practices for key generation, data signing, and symmetric encryption. |
| 65 | + |
| 66 | +#### Code Security: |
| 67 | +- Ensure the Java code handling cryptographic operations is secure against common vulnerabilities. |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +#### User Feedback: |
| 70 | +- Provide clear and user-friendly feedback for operations, especially for errors or successful operations. |
| 71 | + |
| 72 | +#### Documentation and Testing: |
| 73 | +- Document the process clearly, including prerequisites and configurations. |
| 74 | +- Thoroughly test the application for reliability and security. |
| 75 | + |
| 76 | +## Understanding Keycard Capabilities |
| 77 | + |
| 78 | +### Key Storage: |
| 79 | +- Keycard is designed for secure storage of private keys, commonly used in digital signatures and transaction authentication. |
| 80 | + |
| 81 | +### Signing Operations: |
| 82 | +- Keycard can sign data blocks using stored private keys, adaptable for file-based applications and IPFS storage. |
| 83 | + |
| 84 | +### Encryption/Decryption: |
| 85 | +- While not a primary function, Keycard's signing capabilities can be adapted for encryption/decryption processes in file-based applications. |
| 86 | + |
| 87 | +## Implementation Notes |
| 88 | + |
| 89 | +### Data Flow for Encryption and Decryption Using Java Keycard |
| 90 | + |
| 91 | +#### Encryption: |
| 92 | +- User enters a passphrase. |
| 93 | +- Sign the passphrase with the Keycard. |
| 94 | +- Generate a unique key based on the signed passphrase. |
| 95 | +- Use the key as string data for GPG encryption. |
| 96 | +- Remove sensitive process logs or files to prevent data exposure. |
| 97 | +- Encrypt the data with GPG and pass the encrypted file to IPFS. |
| 98 | + |
| 99 | +#### Decryption: |
| 100 | +- Retrieve the file from IPFS using its CID. |
| 101 | +- User re-enters the passphrase. |
| 102 | +- Sign the passphrase with the Keycard to regenerate the decryption key. |
| 103 | +- Use the key to decrypt the file with GPG. |
| 104 | +- Ensure removal of sensitive logs or temporary files. |
| 105 | + |
| 106 | +## Further Reading for Developers |
| 107 | + |
| 108 | +### Recommended Resources: |
| 109 | + |
| 110 | +- [Official Go API for Keycard](https://github.com/status-im/keycard-go/) |
| 111 | +- [Keycard CLI](https://github.com/status-im/keycard-cli) |
| 112 | +- [Keycard APDU API](https://keycard.tech/docs/apdu/) |
| 113 | +- [Localhost Web3 Application for Keycard](https://keycard.tech/docs/web3.html) |
| 114 | + |
| 115 | +Contributors are encouraged to explore these resources for a deeper understanding of Keycard's capabilities and integration methods. |
| 116 | + |
| 117 | +## Conclusion |
| 118 | + |
| 119 | +By leveraging Keycard's unique capabilities for signing and transaction authentication, developers can create a secure and efficient system for encrypting and decrypting data, particularly for applications involving IPFS storage. |
| 120 | + |
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