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https://github.com/amiriiw/merkle_note

Merkle Note is a lightweight GTK-based application for securely encrypting, decrypting, and saving textual data. The application uses AES-256-CBC encryption and integrates a Merkle root system for verifying the integrity of the stored data.
https://github.com/amiriiw/merkle_note

aes-256 aes-256-cbc c cryptography files hash merkle notebook security

Last synced: about 1 month ago
JSON representation

Host: GitHub
URL: https://github.com/amiriiw/merkle_note
Owner: amiriiw
License: mit
Created: 2024-12-02T11:01:47.000Z (about 1 month ago)
Default Branch: main
Last Pushed: 2024-12-02T11:11:30.000Z (about 1 month ago)
Last Synced: 2024-12-02T11:41:35.340Z (about 1 month ago)
Topics: aes-256, aes-256-cbc, c, cryptography, files, hash, merkle, notebook, security
Language: C
Homepage: https://amiriiw.github.io/
Size: 0 Bytes
Stars: 0
Watchers: 1
Forks: 0
Open Issues: 0
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE

Awesome Lists containing this project

README

# Merkle Note

## Features

- **Text Encryption**: Secure your text files with AES-256 encryption.
- **Merkle Root Verification**: Calculate and store Merkle roots to ensure data integrity.
- **Graphical Interface**: Simple GTK-based GUI for saving and opening encrypted files.
- **User-Friendly**: Easy-to-use interface for encryption, decryption, and file management.

---

## How It Works

1. **Save Text**:
- The application calculates a Merkle root (SHA-256 hash) from the text.
- The Merkle root is appended to a local file (`pass.txt`).
- The text is encrypted using AES-256-CBC and saved to the specified file.

2. **Open File**:
- Users provide the Merkle root key when opening an encrypted file.
- The application decrypts the file and displays the content in the text editor.

---

## Installation

### Prerequisites

- **C Compiler**: GCC or Clang
- **GTK Development Libraries**: `libgtk-3-dev` or equivalent
- **OpenSSL Development Libraries**: `libssl-dev`

### Build Instructions

1. Clone the repository:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/amiriiw/merkle_note.git
cd merkle_note
cd Merkle-note
```

2. Compile the code:
```bash
gcc -o merkle_note main.c `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtk+-3.0` -lssl -lcrypto
```

3. Run the application:
```bash
./merkle_note
```

---

## Usage

1. **Start the application**:
- Run the compiled binary to open the Secure Notepad interface.

2. **Saving Text**:
- Write text in the editor.
- Click the "Save" button and specify the save location.
- The Merkle root is stored in `pass.txt`, and the text is encrypted.

3. **Opening Files**:
- Click the "Open" button and select an encrypted file.
- Provide the Merkle root key for decryption.
- The decrypted text is displayed in the editor.

---

## Security

- **Encryption**: AES-256-CBC encryption ensures strong protection for your data.
- **Random Initialization Vector (IV)**: A unique IV is generated for each encryption to enhance security.
- **Merkle Root**: SHA-256 hashes are used for verifying text integrity.

---

## File Structure

- `merkle_note.c`: Main source code for the application.
- `pass.txt`: Stores Merkle roots for saved files.

---

## Known Issues

- Ensure the `pass.txt` file is not shared or deleted, as it contains the Merkle roots for decryption.
- The decryption process may fail if the wrong key is provided or if the file has been tampered with.

---

## License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.

---

## Acknowledgments

- GTK+ for the GUI framework
- OpenSSL for providing robust cryptographic functionality

---

## Contributions

Contributions are welcome! Feel free to submit issues, fork the repository, and open pull requests.